In a tragic incident on Monday, the Kanchanjunga Express derailed in Bengal’s Siliguri after being struck by a goods train, resulting in nine fatalities and over 30 injuries. The accident, which took place near the North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station in the Rangapani region, involved the deaths of the goods train driver, his assistant, and the guard of the Kanchanjunga Express.
Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, confirmed that rescue operations had concluded and indicated that human error was the likely cause of the accident. Preliminary investigations suggested that the goods train driver had overshot a signal, leading to the collision. The Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah station in Kolkata when the accident occurred, causing two compartments to derail, with one coach even being flung into the air.
Northeast Frontier Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Sabyasachi De, reported that the injured were taken to a nearby hospital. The death toll rose to nine, with the number of injured increasing to 36. Financial aid was promptly announced for the victims’ families, including Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs 10 lakh from the Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with additional compensations for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing the incident as “saddening.” Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw left for Darjeeling to visit the accident site, while other leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also conveyed their sympathies and ensured swift medical and logistical support.
The Congress party criticized the government, with MP Rahul Gandhi attributing the accident to “mismanagement and negligence” by the Modi administration. Despite the political contention, efforts were concentrated on aiding the victims and their families, with special helpdesks established at Sealdah station and Naihati station for support and information.
The Kanchanjunga Express, minus the derailed compartments, resumed its journey to Sealdah. Officials emphasized their commitment to addressing the aftermath of the collision and keeping the public informed.
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