Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to “those who lost their loved ones” after a collision between a goods train and the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district resulted in at least 15 deaths and around 60 injuries.
According to railway officials, the impact of the collision caused three rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail.
“The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well,” PM Modi posted on X.
PM Narendra Modi says the railway accident in West Bengal is "saddening". pic.twitter.com/9rPgo2ovPv
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
The Prime Minister’s office announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased in the accident, with ₹50,000 to be given to the injured.
PM @narendramodi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. https://t.co/2zsG6XJsGx
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 17, 2024
Taking jibe and showing concern on recent train accident former Railway Minister asked central government who would take responsibility on these accidents.
देश में लगातार हो रहे रेल हादसों का जिम्मेवार कौन है?
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) June 17, 2024
Rescue operations are ongoing at the site, approximately 30 km from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station, with the injured being transported to nearby hospitals.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X: “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site.”
The divisional railway manager (DRM) of North Frontier Railway’s Katihar division reported that the 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from Agartala to Sealdah when the accident occurred around 9 am.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her shock on X, saying, “Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated.”
A passenger from Agartala in coach S6 of the Kanchanjunga Express recounted feeling a sudden jerk and the compartment coming to a halt. He reported delays in the relief and rescue operations. “My wife, child and I somehow managed to come out of the mangled coach. We are currently stranded… The rescue operations also started quite late,” he told a television channel.
