At least 15 people were killed and around 60 injured in a train collision in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Monday. Officials said a freight train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express, derailing three coaches of the passenger train.
People are feared trapped inside the collapsed carriage and frantic rescue efforts have been launched.
A locomotive of a freight train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express. According to Northern Railway officials, the collision took place around 9 am.\
Officials do not expect many casualties as supplies were stored in two of the three compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express.
A video of the incident has been posted on social media, showing two trains in the background and passengers rushing to safety in panic. Another photo shows local residents gathered around the scene.
Kanchanjunga Express flight 13174 was traveling from Agartala in Tripura when the incident occurred near Rangapani near New Jalpaiguri railway station, officials said.
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A freight train was moving from Agartala to Kolkata. Images show the compartment of the Kanchanjunga Express suspended in the air and the carriage overturning around the tracks after the collision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu also offered condolences to the bereaved. PM Modi spoke to officials and said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnao is going to West Bengal to review the situation.
The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has announced a compensation of Rs 200,000 to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
