Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw takes bike ride to reach Kanchenjunga Express train accident site in Darjeeling

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today took a bike ride to reach the Kanchenjunga Express train accident site in the Darjeeling district. At least 15 people lost their lives and around 60 others were injured when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal on Monday. The collision caused three rear compartments of the express train to derail, railway officials stated. Rescue operations are in progress at the site, located about 30 km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, with the injured being transported to nearby hospitals.

A senior police officer informed PTI, "At least 15 people have died in the accident till now and 60 suffered injuries."

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier commented 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 site."


Earlier, Ashwini Vaishnaw announced an increased ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those who died in the Kanchanjunga Express train accident in West Bengal on Monday.

"Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims' families: Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries," tweeted Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased in the train accident.

"PM Narendra Modi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured will receive Rs 50,000," the PMO tweeted.