Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident: What happened, deaths, injuries, helpline numbers, pics

Multiple people died and dozens others were injured ahe guard's compartment in the rear end of the passenger train was completely damaged. Two parcel wagons were in between the guard's rearmost coach and a general compartment, which helped to minimize injuries to passengers. Officials said that the death toll could rise.

The loco pilot of the goods train that collided into the Kanchenjunga Express passenger train in West Bengal's Darjeeling disregarded the signal" leading to the mishap. "The accident happened today morning. Kanchenjunga Express was travelling from Agartala to Sealdah. The train was hit in the rear end by a goods train which disregarded the signal," Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & CEO Railway Board, was quoted as saying by ANI. The guard's compartment in the rear end of the passenger train was completely damaged. Two parcel wagons were in between the guard's rearmost coach and a general compartment, which helped to minimise injuries to passengers, she said.

According to news agency PTI, at least 15 people died in the accident. However, railway offcials capped the death toll at 8 after completion of rescue operations. "Rescue operation have been completed. The driver (Loco pilot) who disregarded the signal has died and also the guard of Kanchenjunga Express has lost his life," Jaya Varma Sinha said. NorthEast Frontier Railway CPRO Sabyasachi De said that the officials have information of eight deaths in the incident, while 25 others were injured. PTI however reported that 60 people were injured.

Help desks have been established at all railway stations along the Agartala- Sealdah route, Sinha said on the day. Here are the helpline numbers:
Sealdah Station: 033-23508794; 033-23833326
Guwahati Station:0361-2731621; 0361-2731622; 0361-2731623
Katihar: 9002041952; 9771441956
Lumding: 03674263958; 03674263831; 03674263120; 03674263126
Other Helpline Numbers: KIR Emergency Help Desk No. - 6287801805; NJP Station Emergency No. - 6287801758; AUB Emergency No. - 8170034235; KNE Emergency No. - 7542028020 & 06456-226795; DLK Emergency No. - 8170034228; BOE Emergency No. - 7541806358; SAMSI Emergency No. - 03513-265690, 03513- 265692

The accident took place at Ruidhasa near Rangapani station in the Katihar Railway Division ahead of New Jalpaiguri Junction at around 8:45 am today. The area falls in the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Police and Army were involved in the rescue operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the loss of lives in the train accident in West Bengal and announced. In a post on X, the prime minister said the "railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones". West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Monday visit the train accident site in New Jalpaiguri to take stock of relief operations. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will also visit the accident site.

“Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims’ families. Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 lakh towards grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 to those injured,” tweeted Ashwini Vaishnaw. PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured. Besides the Rs 10 lakh each ex-gratia announced by the railway minister for the next of kin of those killed in the accident, the prime minister also announced ex-gratia. "PM Narendra Modi 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," the Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X.