West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee along with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are on their way to the train accident site near New Jalpaiguri to oversee relief operations personally, officials concerned informed.
At least 15 passengers lost their lives and 60 others sustained injuries when a goods train collided with the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Monday morning.
The impact caused three rear coaches of the passenger train to derail near Rangapani station, approximately 30 km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station.
Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as multiple state and central agencies, aided by local residents, are engaged in a frantic rescue operation to free passengers potentially trapped in the derailed compartments.
The accident claimed the lives of the pilot and co-pilot of the goods train, a senior railway official confirmed.
The injured passengers are currently receiving treatment at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH), according to police reports.
Three are being operation at the NBMCH, informed a source.
The collision occurred when the goods train, traveling at high speed, rammed into the rear of the stationary Kanchanjunga Express. The force of the collision was so severe that two of the rear coaches were immediately thrown off the tracks, while another coach was left dangling perilously with the goods train's locomotive wedged underneath.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, saying, "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."
He also stated that he had spoken to officials and reviewed the situation, assuring that rescue operations were in full swing. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw departed for West Bengal to oversee the relief operations personally.
Preliminary reports from railway officials indicate that the Kanchanjunga Express was stationary when the goods train crashed into it from behind.
However, it remains unclear if a signal oversight or a signalling system failure contributed to the tragedy.
The rescue operations have been hindered by inclement weather, adding to the challenges faced by the teams on the ground.
The accident has evoked grim memories of the Coromandel Express disaster in Odisha last year, which resulted in nearly 300 deaths and over a thousand injuries.
The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was en route from Agartala to Sealdah when the accident occurred around 9 am.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock on X, stating, “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.”
Long-distance train services from north Bengal and the northeastern regions have been disrupted due to the accident. To mitigate the impact on commuters, the state government has arranged for additional bus services from the region on an emergency basis.
Reports from the ground suggest that the loco pilot of the goods train may have missed a signal, though it remains unconfirmed whether there was an issue with the signalling system or other factors that allowed the two trains to be on the same track.
BJP MP from Darjeeling Raju Bista was among the first to reach the accident site to oversee the ongoing rescue operations.
A passenger from Agartala, who was in coach number S6 of the Kanchanjunga Express, recounted the moment of impact, “I felt a sudden jerk, and the compartment screeched to a halt. My wife, child, and I somehow managed to escape from the mangled coach. We are currently stranded... The rescue operations also started quite late,” he recalled.
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