Fifteen Dead, 60 Injured In Collision Between Kanchanjunga Express And Goods Train In Darjeeling
The collision caused three rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail.
Fifteen passengers died and 60 were injured when three rear coaches of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday morning, according to local media news reports citing officials. A goods train collided with the stationary passenger train at Darjeeling district in West Bengal.
Rescue operations are ongoing near North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, and the injured are being transported to nearby hospitals.
A senior police officer confirmed that the collision caused three rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail. The loco pilot of the goods train and the guard of the Kanchanjunga Express also died, according to Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha.
The divisional railway manager of North Frontier Railway's Katihar division stated that the 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from Agartala to Sealdah when the accident occurred.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress over the loss of lives. She extended her condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and provided an update on the situation. He stated that rescue operations are in progress and that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is on his way to the accident site.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on social media that rescue operations are ongoing and that senior officials have reached the site. The ministry will provide compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for those with grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visits an injured at a hospital, after a collision between the Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train near Rangapani railway station, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Source: PTI)
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed that doctors and disaster response teams have been sent to the accident site.
Signal Defective Since 5:50 A.M.
The automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal was defective since 5:50 am. This defect occurred in the area where the goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express, PTI reported quoting a railway source.
he Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to the signalling failure, PTI reported quoting the above source as saying.
Goods Train Driver Disregarded Signal: Railway Board
The collision near New Jalpaiguri happened because the goods train disregarded a signal and hit the Kanchanjunga Express, according to Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha.
An investigation is needed to determine whether the goods train was given permission to cross defective signals at speed or if the loco pilot violated the signal norms, sources told TI, adding that if the latter, the driver should have stopped the train for one minute at each defective signal and proceeded at a speed of 10 kmph.
(With inputs from PTI.)
