Five individuals lost their lives and 30 others sustained injuries following a tragic train accident involving the Kanchanjunga Express in Siliguri, Bengal
The train, traveling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah station in Kolkata, was hit from behind by a goods train near Siliguri’s Rangapani area, close to New Jalpaiguri station.
The accident, occurring around 9 am, resulted in at least two compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express derailing, with one coach visibly suspended in the air, as reported by witnesses. The local authorities, including the Divisional Railway Manager of North Frontier Railway’s Katihar division and Additional Superintendent of Police of Darjeeling, Abhishek Roy, confirmed the incident. They stated that the goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express, leading to this devastating outcome.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern, assuring that district officials, medical teams, and ambulances were promptly dispatched to the site for rescue and relief operations. She tweeted about the gravity of the situation and emphasized the urgent action taken by the authorities.
President Droupadi Murmu, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also extended their condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured passengers. President Murmu expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and conveyed prayers for the successful execution of the rescue efforts.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the ongoing rescue operations conducted jointly by Railways, NDRF, and SDRF teams, underscoring their coordinated efforts amid challenging conditions exacerbated by heavy rain.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) promptly mobilized an emergency medical team to the accident site and established a special helpdesk at Sealdah station. Additionally, helpline numbers were made available for those seeking information or assistance related to the incident.
In his response, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha affirmed that the state government was in close coordination with railway authorities to ensure comprehensive rescue and support measures for affected passengers. He emphasized efforts to assist the injured and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
Authorities at Sealdah division assured ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the collision and provide necessary assistance to those impacted by the tragic incident. They pledged to keep the public informed with regular updates as the situation developed.
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