Kanchanjunga Express train accident in Bengal kills 9, some feared trapped

West Bengal train collision: The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with the goods train near Rangapani close to New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal

At least 9 people were killed, and about 40 were injured in a train collision in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday. According to officials, a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express, causing the derailment of three compartments of the passenger train.

Some people are feared to be trapped inside the toppled carriages, and a frantic rescue operation to find them has been launched.

A locomotive on the goods train hit the Kanchanjunga Express from the rear. The collision took place around 9 am, according to Northern Railway officials.

The officials do not expect a high number of casualties since two of the three compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express had goods stored in them.

A video of the incident has surfaced on social media, showing passengers in a state of panic and fear as they scramble to safety, with the two trains visible in the background. Another photo showed locals gathered around the accident site.

The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was travelling from Tripura’s Agartala when the incident took place near Rangapani, close to New Jalpaiguri station, officials said.

The goods train was on its way to Kolkata from Agartala. Images showed its wagon toppled around the tracks while a compartment of the Kanchanjunga Express was suspended in mid-air following the collision.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the tragic incident and said that emergency services had been rushed to the spot. "While details are awaited... DM, SP, doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams have been rushed to the site," she said in a post on 'X', adding that action on a war footing has been "initiated."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the loss of lives in the incident. Modi said he has spoken to the officials and that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is headed to West Bengal to take a stock of the situation.

The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has announced a compensation of Rs 200,000 for next of kin of each deceased persons and Rs 50,000 for the injured, the PMO said.

Earlier, Vaishnaw said that the injured persons were shifted to the hospital while a rescue operation is underway. "Unfortunate accident in North Frontier Railway zone... Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. Senior officials have reached the site," he said in a post on 'X'.