Breaking News: Another Train Accident; Kanchanjungha Express Hit by a Freight Train in West Bengal
A major train accident occurred on the morning of June 17 near New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express was hit by a goods train while stationary on the track, killing 15 people and injuring more than 60 (updated numbers).
The accident occurred around 9 a.m. According to a senior North Frontier Railway (NFR) official, the goods train overshot the signal and collided with the Kanchanjungha Express. The collision damaged two passenger coaches and a parcel van. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and ambulances have been dispatched to the scene, and all government and private hospitals in the area have been informed.
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences in a tweet, writing, “I am shocked to learn about the tragic train accident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district.” She stated that the District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), doctors, ambulances, and disaster response teams have arrived at the scene and are carrying out relief, rescue, and medical assistance operations. Actions are being taken on a war footing.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also addressed the situation in a post on X, writing, “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations are taking place on a war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working closely together. The injured are being taken to the hospital. Senior officials have arrived at the site. He is reportedly monitoring the situation from the Railways War Room in Delhi, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to address the incident and assist those affected.
