17th June 2024- Eight people, including three Railway employees, have died and about 50 others were injured after the Kanchanjunga Express collided with a goods train in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal this morning. The collision occurred near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, at around 9 am.
The Kanchanjunga Express, travelling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata, was struck from behind by a goods train, causing three coaches to derail. Fortunately, the rear of the train, which included the parcel and guard’s coaches, bore the brunt of the impact, limiting casualties among passengers.
Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha confirmed that rescue operations were swiftly completed and the injured were transported to North Bengal Medical College for treatment. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and stated that doctors and disaster response teams were promptly dispatched to the scene.
The Kanchanjunga Express, a daily train connecting Bengal with Northeastern cities like Silchar and Agartala, is frequently used by tourists heading to Darjeeling. The accident comes as many travellers seek respite from the oppressive summer heat in Kolkata and South Bengal.
For information about the situation, the Railways have released helpline numbers: 033-23508794, 033-23833326 (Sealdah), and 0361-2731621, 0361-2731622, 0361-2731623 (Guwahati).
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