Kanchanjunga Express Collision: 9 Killed; 41 Injured
Nine people were killed and around 50 passengers were injured after a good train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express travelling to Kolkata from Assam's Silchar in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The goods train rammed the passenger express from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri. This incident took place on Monday morning at 8:55 am. The impact resulted in the derailment of the guard's coach, two parcel coaches, and a general seating coach of the passenger train. The driver of the goods train, who was among the dead, was found to have not followed the mandatory speed restrictions, leading to the crash. Preliminary studies indicate that human error and signal failure are both major issues.
The Railway Board's initial report on Monday revealed that the goods train, operating under a defective automatic signalling system, was travelling above speed limits when it crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express. The railways have not commented on this issue.
The Kanchanjunga Express had cleared nine automatic signals with TA 912 and had stopped after crossing the nine signals awaiting fresh clearance to proceed further.
The impact of the collision derailed two coaches of the passenger train. The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train that connects Bengal with the Northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala. This route is in the Chicken's Neck corridor, which connects the Northeast with the rest of the country.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site while PM Modi has taken stock of the situation.
"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, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated," Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X.
