Kanchan-junga Express Accident
Kachanjunga express Train no. 13174 Down Agartala – Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express on 17th June,
2024 faced a rear end collision by a Goods train carrying containers between Rangapani and Chatterhat section under the Katihar division of N.F. Railway at around 08:55 hrs. The location is about 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station.
Kanchanjunga express accident On receiving the information, Accident Relief Medical team along with Men and machinery immediately reached the accident site within short span of time to rescue and aid the injured passengers. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and General Manager of NFR Chetan Kr. Shrivastava with other senior officials immediately rushed to reach the accident site. On arriving Siliguri,Railway Minister immediately rushed to the hospital to meet the injured patients. He personally interacted with the injured ones and also visited the accident site to take stock of the rescue and restoration operation in Kanchanjunga Express.
Three coaches of Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the crash.
One factor which limited casualties is the fact that the rear part of Kanchanjunga Express comprised of the parcel coach and the guard’s coach and the passenger compartments further ahead suffered less impact
Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha told the media that the accident took place around 9 am. “The rescue work is complete. The injured have been shifted to the North Bengal medical college and they are being provided the best possible treatment,” she said.
The unaffected front portion of Kanchanjunga Express, she said, will resume its onward journey soon so that the passengers can reach their destination.
Officials fear that the toll could rise as multiple agencies of the state and Centre work to rescue passengers who could still be trapped inside. Visuals from the site showed one of the bogies suspended in mid-air.
The accident occurred at around 8:30am and took place some 11 km from New Jalpaiguri station in north Bengal, one of the largest and busiest stations in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone in eastern and northeastern India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased ₹2.5 lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.
Railway officials said that a preliminary probe indicated that the loco pilot of the goods train disregarded the signal, which led to the mishap. The loco pilot of the goods train and the guard of the passenger train are among those killed in the accident.
Meanwhile, a total of 19 trains have been cancelled so far on the New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Junction, Bagdogra and Aluabari Road routes in the wake of the major train accident.
The accident blocked both Up and Down lines and halted train movements in the area, affecting long-distance train services from north Bengal and the northeastern part of the country.
Bengal train accident: Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi govt, says ‘direct result of Kanchanjunga express in West Bengal.
About 9 people died (7 passengers and 2 railway staffs), 9 people were grievously injured and nearly 32 people were left with minor/normal injuries as a result of the accident. All the injured persons are being provided adequate medical help.
The unaffected portion of the Kanchanjunga Express has left from the accident site at 12:00 for its onward journey. Passenger rescue operation was completed. Adequate food packets and drinking water bottles were provided by the railway side to the stranded passengers. Help-Line numbers were made operational at all important stations.
Bengal Governor meets train accident victims at Siliguri, asks stakeholders to “stand together”.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose met the injured of the Kanchenjunga Express train accident at North Bengal Medical College and said that all stakeholders should stand together in the hour of crisis.
“I saw the patients and discussed with the doctors; the situation is under control. They are being given the best treatment. They are being given the best medical facilities. This is a tragedy in which we will all stand together. All steps will be taken for the rehabilitation of those admitted to the hospital,” Bose said speaking to reporters after meeting the injured-on Monday.
Apart from us, other sources also confirm this news.
