LIVE: Commissioner Railways Safety to Probe Kanchenjunga Express Accident , Death Toll Rises to 9

Siliguri: At least nine people were killed and over 30 people were injured when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchenjunga Express in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday. Among the deceased are 7 passengers and 2 Railway staff. Rescue operations are underway with disaster management teams at the spot.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is on his way to Darjeeling to visit Kanchanjunga Express train accident site. Earlier, he reacted to the accident and 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.”

"The situation is serious. The incident occurred when a goods train rammed into Kanchenjunga Express," says Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling Police.

West Bengal Darjeeling MP Raju Bista visited the train accident site in Ruidhasa and said, “The train coaches which were in good condition have been sent to Sealdah by attaching an engine to them. Our priority is to clear the track. NDRF and SDRF present at the spot.”

Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu said rescue operations are underway at the spot. "A tragic accident has occurred in the NFR zone. Swift rescue operations are underway with coordinated efforts from Railways, NDRF, and SDRF. The injured are being quickly moved to hospitals. Senior officials are on-site to supervise," he said on X.

The train was en route to the Sealdah station in Kolkata and the accident happened when a goods train hit it from behind in Siliguri's Rangapani region. As per sourcesm the train might have overshot a signal which resulted in the collision.

The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with the goods train near Rangapani close to New Jalpaiguri station, the divisional railway manager of North Frontier Railway’s Katihar Division said.

The two rear compartments were derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about seven km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, he said.

Nine killed, 41 Hurt, Says Railway Ministry

Seven passengers and two railway staffers were killed and 41 more injured in the Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday, according to figures released by the railway ministry.

In a statement, the ministry said nine people suffered grievous injuries and 32 simple or minor injuries. The "Up line" has been cleared and train operations have started, it said and added that "the 'Down line' will also be cleared shortly".

The Kanchanjunga express, going to Sealdah in West Bengal from Agartala in Tripura, was on the "Down line" and a goods train rammed into it from behind near the New Jalpaiguri station, around 600 km from Kolkata.

According to initial ground reports based on the statements of the local police, 15 people were said to have lost their lives in the accident. However, the ministry clarified that the number of deaths is nine, so far.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the accident site in the afternoon, the ministry said. 

Tripura Govt Sends 2-Member Team for Assitance 

After the train mishap in West Bengal claimed the lives of nine individuals and left over 40 injured, the Tripura government sent a 2-member team of officials of the state government to extend assistance to the injured

Commissioner of Railway Safety to Probe the Incident 

As the probe into the train collision at Rangapani near New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal continues, the Commissioner of Railway Safety will investigate the matter. 

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishanw Visits the Collision Site 

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site of the train collision at Rangapani near New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal on Monday afternoon and took stock of the situation.

Emergency Helpline Numbers

Amid reports of casualties, railway authorities have issued emergency helpline numbers for the assistance and information regarding the derailment of Kanchenjunga Express in West Bengal. The numbers are:

033-23508794 and 033-23833326. 

A passenger of the train said, "I was travelling in B1 coach when the train was hit. I have been rescued, I have suffered an injury on my head."

The collision happened soon after the Kanchanjunga Express started its journey from New Jalpaiguri Station to Sealdah.

Signal Defective Since 5.50 am: Railway Source

The automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal, where a goods train hit Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express in the rear, was defective since 5.50 in the morning, according to a railway source.

"Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to automatic signalling failure from 5:50 am," the source told PTI.

According to another railway official, when the automatic signalling system fails, the station master issues a written authority called TA 912, which authorises the driver to cross all red signals in the section because of the defect.

"The station master of Ranipatra had issued TA 912 to Train No 1374 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express)," the source said.

He added, "Around the same time, a goods train, GFCJ, departed Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit 13174 in the rear portion resulting from the derailment of the guard's coach, two parcel coaches and a general seating coach."

The Railway Board in its initial statement said that the driver of the goods train violated the signal. It pegged the overall death toll at five. However, some local officials said it could be as high as 15.

PM Modi Calls it ‘Saddening’

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. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri 
Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well.

Bengal CM Expresses Shock

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the incident and posted, “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. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated.”