Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Railways officials and assessed the situation following a tragic accident in West Bengal where the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express was struck by a goods train on Monday. The collision resulted in the deaths of at least five people and injuries to over 30 others, according to officials.
PM Modi expressed his condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured in a post on X. He confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing and that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is en route to the accident site to oversee the situation.
The accident occurred between New Jalpaiguri and Rangapani stations, prompting immediate rescue operations by teams from the state government and Indian Railways. However, the efforts have been hampered by rain, making the process more challenging. Rescue teams are currently using manual methods to reposition the affected compartments and locate trapped passengers, avoiding gas cutters due to safety concerns.
An official from the state Disaster Management Department stated that the manual process is slow and further complicated by the rainfall. Meanwhile, the injured have been transported to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri for treatment.
Passengers of the Kanchanjunga Express reported hearing multiple collisions, despite initial reports suggesting only one impact.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has issued a statement claiming that the senior officials of the Railways have reached the spot to supervise the search and rescue operations.
“Unfortunate accident in the 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,” read the statement issued by Vaishnaw.
The rescue teams are adopting the manual process of bringing the affected compartments back into position to locate more trapped passengers.
“We are avoiding the use of gas cutters right now as we fear that more people might be trapped inside the affected compartments. Use of gas cutters might endanger their lives. Since we are still adopting the manual process, the rescue process is slow. Rainfall is adding further difficulty,” said an official of the state Disaster Management Department, present at the spot.
The local people told the media that they have seen bodies of at least five people being brought out of the compartments.
As per information available so far, the number of injured passengers who have been rescued from the affected compartments stands at 25.
The injured persons have been rushed to the North Bengal Medical College & Hospital at Siliguri.
Rescue team officials said that there are apprehensions that the death and injury figures might increase further as the rescue operations continue, since they are yet to ascertain how many persons are still trapped within the affected compartments.
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
