'Unfortunate Accident': Railway Min Ashwini Vaishnaw on Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express Collision

New Delhi: Reacting to the recent tragic Kanchanjunga Express and good train accident in West Bengal's Darjeeling, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday, June 17, called it an "unfortunate accident." On Monday, June 17, the Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train which claimed the lives of five people while over 20 people sustained injuries.

Taking to X, Vaishnaw 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 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with the goods train near Rangapani close to New Jalpaiguri station, the NFR official said. The train was en route to the Sealdah station in Kolkata when the accident happened.

Expressing shock over the tragic incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "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."

The initial investigation into the train mishap revealed that the freight train jumped a signal and hit the rear deck of the Kanchenjunga Express, leading to the train derailment.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is learnt to be monitoring the situation from the Railways war room in Delhi and will shortly leave for Darjeeling to review the situation. 

The train was coming from Agartala and was heading to Sealdah station in Kolkata when the accident occurred around 8:30 am.

Multiple teams of the National Disaster Response Force and ambulances have reached the spot for assistance.

Amid reports of casualties, railway authorities have issued emergency helpline numbers for the kins of passengers. The numbers are:

033-23508794
033-23833326