Kanchenjunga Express Accident: Death Toll Rises To 15, Vaishnaw Says Rescue Ops Over, Mamata Meets Injured — Updates

Kanchenjunga Express Accident in West Bengal has so far caused 15 fatalities and injured 60. Railway Minister Vaishnaw visited the accident site and announced compensation for the victims.

Locals gather after the Kanchenjungha Express collided with a goods train, near New Jalpaiguri railway station, on Monday, June 17, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

Kanchenjunga Express Accident: In a deadly incident on Monday morning, at least 15 passengers lost their lives and 60 others sustained injuries when three rear coaches of the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchenjunga Express derailed after a goods train collided with it in West Bengal's Darjeeling district. The accident occurred near Rangapani station, approximately 30 km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station.

The injured were taken to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Kanchenjunga Express Accident: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Says 'Rescue Ops Completed', Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Slams Govt

• While a senior railway official said that at least nine people were killed and 41 injured after the goods train rammed into the stationary Kanchanjunga Express, senior West Bengal Police officials reported the death toll at 15, news agency PTI reported. 

  Among the casualties were the pilot of the goods train and the guard of the passenger train.

• Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the train accident site in Bengal's Rangapani. Addressing the media, he said, "Commission of Railway Safety will conduct a thorough investigation. Rescue operation has concluded and now the focus is on restoration, this is the main line. We will identify the reason behind this accident and will take proper preventive measures for the future."

VIDEO | Kanchanjunga Express accident: "Commission of Railway Safety will conduct a thorough investigation. Rescue operation has concluded and now the focus is on restoration, this is the main line. We will identify the reason behind this accident and will take proper preventive… pic.twitter.com/klenG4iqHS

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2024

• Vaishnaw also visited North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri and met the injured persons.

  VIDEO | Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) meets people who were injured in Kanchanjunga Express accident at a hospital in #Darjeeling. pic.twitter.com/MtiyaDmExd

  — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2024

•  West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met the injured at North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri.  Slamming the Modi government, she remarked, "When I was the Railways Minister, I saw 2-3 major train accidents after that I ensured that the anti-collision device was prepared and started. After that collision of trains stopped. What is happening in the railways today, no one knows...There are several issues in the Railways Ministry. Separate Railways budget has been stopped and this department is not getting enough importance now...I know A-Z of the Railways, nothing new has been done. The new metro and railway stations are because of my time. Just see the 2020 vision, I gave money for everything..."
  
  She also accused the Union government of "neglecting" the Railways as she alleged, "I started so many things, but they are only doing publicity of Vande Bharat trains. Where is Duronto Express? After the Rajdhani Express, Duronto was the fastest train...Today, the entire Railway Department is facing negligence. I feel proper care must be taken of the Railway Ministry." 
  

  #WATCH | Kanchenjunga Express train accident: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says "When I was the Railways Minister, I saw 2-3 major train accidents after that I ensured that the anti-collision device was prepared and started. After that collision of trains stopped. What is… pic.twitter.com/X212bxFhFJ

  — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024

• Earlier, CM Banerjee also expressed her shock on X, saying, "Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated."
  
  
• Governor CV Ananda Bose also met the injured of the Kanchenjunga Express train accident in Darjeeling district. "I saw the patients and discussed with the doctors, the situation is under control. They are being given the best treatment. They are being given the best medical facilities. This is a tragedy in which we will all stand together. All steps will be taken for the rehabilitation of those admitted to the hospital. Of course, all actions will be taken. The Railway Minister has reached the spot. The Railways is taking care of the requirements. In fact, this is the time for us to come together. All stakeholders should stand together in this hour of crisis and stand with the victims," he said, as quoted by ANI.

  #WATCH | After meeting the injured of the Kanchenjunga Express train accident, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose says, "I saw the patients and discussed with the doctors, the situation is under control. They are being given the best treatment. They are being given the best… pic.twitter.com/Uy5lngk8VP

  — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024

• Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar says, "It is indeed a tragic incident... As per the preliminary investigation, it happened due to human error. I have spoken to the Railway Minister as well as the DRM of this region and by around 12 am this route will be operational... I think at this time she (CM Mamata Banerjee) should not do politics. But as I said in the morning she will do politics. And that is what has happened..."

  #WATCH | On the Kanchenjunga Express train accident, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar says, "It is indeed a tragic incident... As per the preliminary investigation, it happened due to human error. I have spoken to the Railway Minister as well as the… https://t.co/DgOQdk76Bb pic.twitter.com/JUfWdBRNgu

  — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024

  He also informed that almost 47 patients have been admitted to North Bengal Medical College. Out of them, three are in the ICU and one child is in the PICU. "These four patients are a little bit serious. We are praying for their speedy recovery. Other have faced minor kind of injuries," he added, as per PTI.
  
  
• Earlier in the day, Vaishnaw announced ex gratia compensation for the victims. "While Rs 10 lakh will be given to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh will be provided to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries," Vaishnaw posted on X.
  
  
• Union MoS and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, after visiting the accident site and the injured, said that CM Mamata Banerjee "should not do politics" over the incident. He commented, "It is indeed a tragic incident... As per the preliminary investigation, it happened due to human error. I have spoken to the Railway Minister as well as the DRM of this region and by around 12 am this route will be operational... I think at this time she (CM Mamata Banerjee) should not do politics. But as I said in the morning she will do politics. And that is what has happened..."
  
  
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, "The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well."
  
  
• According to preliminary reports from railway officials, the passenger train was stationary when the goods train rammed into it from behind, PTI reported. The collision's severe impact caused two rear compartments to derail and left another bogie hanging precariously mid-air, with the goods train's engine wedged beneath it. Inclement weather in the region has compounded the difficulties faced by rescue teams.
  
  
• Railway officials have confirmed that the Kanchenjunga Express resumed its journey to Kolkata with passengers in the unaffected coaches. "The train has started from the accident site around 12.40 pm and is expected to reach Sealdah at 8 pm," said Kaushik Mitra, CPRO, Eastern Railway.

• The accident has disrupted long-distance train services from North Bengal and the northeastern part of the country. Eastern Railway officials in Kolkata have announced route diversions for several trains, including the Guwahati-Saraighat Express, Guwahati-Bengaluru Express, NJP-Howrah Vande Bharat, Kamrup Express, and Uttarbanga Express. Additional bus services have been introduced on an emergency basis to assist affected commuters, PTI reported.

• Preliminary investigations suggest that the goods train's loco pilot may have overshot a signal. However, no confirmation has been received regarding potential signalling system issues or how the two trains ended up on the same track, as per PTI.

• BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, was among the leaders who rushed to the site to oversee rescue operations. A passenger from Agartala, who was in coach number S6 of the Kanchenjunga Express, recounted the ordeal: "I felt a sudden jerk and the compartment screeched to a halt. My wife, child, and I somehow managed to come out of the mangled coach."

The accident has brought back haunting memories of the Coromandel Express disaster near Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha last year, which claimed nearly 300 lives and injured over 1,000 others. The 13174 Kanchenjunga Express was en route to Sealdah from Agartala when the mishap occurred around 9 am, a railway official said, as per PTI.