Porni Banerjee | ১৭ জুন ২০২৪ ১৩ : ০০Porni Banerjee

As death toll from the collision of a freight train and Kanchanjungha passenger train continue to shoot up, a total of 15 people have been found dead and 60 others injured so far. A big team of relief and rescue operations have been pressed into service by rail authorities.

The mishap took place at a distance of only seven kilometers from West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri on Monday morning at around 9 am when a goods train hit the passenger train hard from behind, damaging three rear coaches and derailing two of them. The 13174 Kanchanjungha Express was en-route to Kolkata’s Sealdah from Agartala in Tripura.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic incident and wrote on X saying, “The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw is on the way to the site of the mishap as well.”

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also condoled the loss of lives and said doctors, ambulances and disaster management teams have rushed to the spot.

“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,” wrote Banerjee on X.

Additionally, President Droupadi Murmu, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha have also condoled the loss of lives and prayed for speedy recovery of those injured.

“The news of the loss of lives due to a train accident in Darjeeling, West Bengal is deeply distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and success of relief and rescue operations,” the President tweeted.

Calling it an “unfortunate” incident, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations are 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 the site.”

The Prime Minister’s Office has announced a financial compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and an assistance of Rs 50,000 for those who sustained injuries in the accident.