Goods Train Collision with Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal
Several passengers were injured in West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri on Monday morning when a goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express from behind. The incident resulted in injuries to a number of individuals aboard the passenger train, highlighting concerns over railway safety and operational oversight in the region.
Rear Collision of Kanchanjunga Express Near Jalpaiguri: Railway Official
According to a senior railway official speaking to Hindustan Times, a rear collision involving the Kanchanjunga Express has been reported near Jalpaiguri. Details regarding casualties and injuries are currently awaited as authorities assess the situation.
Another top railway official informed Hindustan Times that preliminary investigation suggests the goods train overshot the signal, resulting in a rear-end collision with the Kanchanjunga Express. This revelation underscores initial findings into the cause of the incident near Jalpaiguri.
Derailment and Impact on Services
According to sources, at least two bogies of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed following the collision with the goods train near Jalpaiguri. The passenger service, which operates between Sealdah in West Bengal and Silchar in Assam, was heavily crowded due to the ongoing peak tourist season.
Thousands of tourists flock to the hill stations in north Bengal and neighbouring Sikkim during this time, highlighting the potential impact of the incident on regional travel and safety concerns.
Details of the Collision and Rescue Efforts
The Kanchanjunga Express, en route from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah station in Kolkata, was struck by a goods train around 8 am. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a social media post, mentioned that rescue operations were being conducted urgently, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Minister’s Response to the Accident
In a tweet, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the incident as an unfortunate accident in the NFR zone. He stated that rescue operations were being conducted urgently, with railways, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) working closely together.
The injured were being promptly transported to hospitals, and senior officials had already arrived at the site to oversee the response efforts.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Response to the Accident
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over a tragic train accident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. In a statement on her social media handle, she mentioned that the Kanchanjunga Express had reportedly been struck by a goods train.
Immediate action was taken as district officials, police personnel, medical teams, ambulances, and disaster response teams were swiftly dispatched to the site to conduct rescue operations.
