Kanchanjunga Express Hit By Goods Train In Bengal, At Least 5 Dead: VIDEO

Kanchanjunga Express Accident: The Kanchanjunga Express suffered a massive accident after it was hit by a goods train in Darjeeling's Phansidewa.

Jalpaiguri: A goods train has rammed into the Kanchanjunga Express train in Darjeeling district, West Bengal. At least 5 deaths have occurred in the accident. Many people are feared to have been injured. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has confirmed the incident and said: "DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated."

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said: "Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site."

 

Initial reports said that two coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the accident. The goods train hit the Kanchenjunga Express from behind, sending the two coaches off the tracks.

The impact of the accident could be gauged from the fact that one of the coaches of the Kanchenjunga was sent flying in the air. It then landed on the goods train. Half the coach was seen hanging in the air above the goods train in the visuals. The goods train had allegedly jumped a signal resulting in the accident.

The government has set up a helpdesk at Sealdah railway station for the Kanchenjunga train collision

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Meanwhile, the weather conditions in North Bengal have been harsh, with continuous heavy rain delaying rescue operations. There is concern that passengers might remain stranded for a long time. The disaster management team has already reached the site. Officials have arrived too, and local residents have joined the rescue efforts.

Usually, the rear part of this train includes general and AC coaches. However, due to the adverse weather, the extent of the damage is yet to be estimated.

Local residents said they heard a terrifying noise this morning. They rushed to the scene to see passengers disembarking from the train. However, there are still concerns that many passengers might have got trapped inside the train.

The accident occurred at around 8:45 am at Rangapani station, just before the train was to reach New Jalpaiguri station. The Kanchanjungha Express originates from Agartala. There are concerns that rail connectivity with Northeast India might be disrupted due to the accident.

(With inputs from Aritrik Bhattacharya and Sanat Jha.)