The Kanchenjunga Express from Agartala to Sealdah met with a horrific accident at a place called Tentultala– in between Rangapani and Chetahard station under Phansidewa police station in North Bengal. The Kanchenjunga Exxpress collided with a goods train at around 8 am this morning. Preliminery said, at least five persons were killed and more than 25 were injured. Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling police confirmed. Among the killed was a guard o the train. Massiver rescue operations are on.
Details of the accdent are still awaited .
The injured were sent to the Medical college at Matigara in serious condition. Details are awaited .The photographs available show a devastating scene in the accident site.
It is learnt that the a container train overshot the signal and hit the Kanchenjunga with high speed at the rear. The Express train had two percel van near the guard coach which were the most affected.
The railway authorities opened helpline no 033 23508749 and 033 23833326
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha in his social Platform said :
Spoke with Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji regarding the collision of Kanchanjungha Express with Goods train in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
Hon’ble Union Minister informed me that rescue operation is going on in full swing and assured that all necessary support would be given to the victims and their families.
State Government continuously monitoring the situation since morning.
Tripura Bhawan officials instructed to visit accident site for proper monitoring of rescue and rehabilitation of accident victims.
Cost of treatment of all injured will be borne by the State government
In case of any unfortunate accidental death, State Government has declared Rs. 2 lakhs ex-gratia payment to the next to kin of the victim.
Helpline numbers Katihar
9002041952
9771441956
Emergency NJP
+916287801758