Jalpaiguri: The Kanchanjungha Express bound for Sealdah was struck by a freight train, leading to fears of a high death toll. Bodies are being recovered from the mangled remains of the train. The driver of the goods train is said to have died. Eyewitnesses fear that most people in the last two coaches are not alive. Both coaches are completely crushed and twisted, presenting a horrific scene.
As many as five bodies had been recovered, at the time of writing.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the incident as "unfortunate".
He said rescue operations are being conducted with urgency. The railway authorities, along with NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), are working in close coordination. The injured are being taken to hospitals, and senior officials have arrived at the scene.
Here is the tweet from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw:
The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was coming from Agartala and going towards Sealdah when the accident occurred around 9 am. The accident spot is near Rangapani station, nearly 7 km from the New Jalpaiguri station in North Bengal.
In an X post, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the accident and rescue work had been started on war-footing.
“Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train," she posted, adding: "DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated.”
More details are awaited.