A devastating train accident in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, has left 15 passengers dead and 60 others seriously injured. The collision occurred when two trains, running on the same track, crashed near Rangpani station, causing a passenger carriage to be hurled into the air.
The Kanchanjungha Express, traveling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, had stopped at New Jalpaiguri. Shortly after departing, it was struck from behind by a goods train, resulting in a severe collision that scattered the goods train’s carriages and derailed two carriages of the express train.
Rescue teams, including railway police, swiftly arrived at the scene to begin relief operations. Darjeeling’s Additional SP described the situation as dire, with several injured passengers in critical condition being transported to hospitals. Relief efforts are ongoing.
Signal Violation Suspected as Cause
Preliminary investigations suggest the accident was caused by the goods train ignoring a red signal, leading to the tragic collision.
National Leaders Express Grief
President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed deep sorrow over the accident. President Murmu conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi described the incident as extremely sad, offering his deepest sympathies and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He also consulted officials for updates on the situation.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, who has left for the site, stated that rescue operations are ongoing and being closely monitored. State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed profound sorrow and assured that immediate, war-like relief measures are in place. Local authorities, doctors, ambulances, and disaster management teams have been mobilized to address the crisis.
