(Image source from: x.com/ani_digital)

Eight people, including three railway employees, have sadly lost their lives, and approximately 50 others have sustained injuries after a collision between an express train and a goods train in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, this morning. The Kanchanjunga Express, traveling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, was struck from behind by a goods train near the Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri. Three coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the accident. However, the fact that the rear portion of the Kanchanjunga Express consisted of a cargo van and a guard's coach, while the passenger compartments were located further ahead, helped to minimize the impact and casualties. Jaya Verma Sinha, the chairperson of the Railway Board, informed the media that the accident occurred around 9 am and that the rescue operation has been completed. The injured individuals have been transported to the North Bengal medical college and are receiving the best possible medical care. Sinha also stated that the unaffected front portion of the Kanchenjunga Express will resume its journey soon, allowing the passengers to reach their destination. The Chief Minister of Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has announced that doctors and disaster response teams have been dispatched to the site of the accident, which she described as a tragic incident.

The Kanchenjunga Express, a vital link connecting Bengal to the Northeast, has reportedly collided with a goods train, triggering an urgent response. Authorities, including the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, doctors, ambulances, and disaster management teams, have immediately rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. This accident, occurring in the Chicken's Neck corridor that connects the Northeast to the rest of the country, has the potential to disrupt the movement of several other trains. The Kanchenjunga Express is a popular choice for tourists seeking respite from the sultry summer in Kolkata and the surrounding regions by traveling to the cooler climes of Darjeeling. According to the available information, the goods train appears to have overshot the signal, resulting in the collision with the passenger train. The National Disaster Response Force and ambulances have been deployed to the accident location, and the Railways have opened helplines to provide information to the public. The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has also made his way to the accident site.

Regrettable incident in the NFR region. Rescue efforts are in full swing. The Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are collaborating closely. The injured are being transported to hospitals. Senior officials have arrived at the scene. The Railway Minister has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for serious injuries, and ₹50,000 for minor injuries. The numbers are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati. Sabyasachi De, the CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, stated that no official announcement regarding the diversion or cancellation of other trains on the route has been made yet. He emphasized their determination to wrap up the rescue mission as soon as possible, mentioning that a dedicated accident relief train is en route.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep distress over the news of lives lost in the train accident, conveying her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. She also offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured and the success of the ongoing relief and rescue operations, as shared through a post on the social media platform X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his sympathies to the families of those who perished in the accident. Describing the railway incident in West Bengal as "saddening," he prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Modi also mentioned that he had spoken to officials and taken stock of the situation, with the Railway Minister, Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji, heading to the accident site to oversee the rescue efforts.

The train accident has deeply saddened Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. He expressed his grief over the painful scenes, offering condolences to the victims' families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. Kharge emphasized the urgent need for full compensation to be provided to those affected. He accused the Narendra Modi government of mismanaging the Railway Ministry, transforming it into a stage for self-promotion rather than ensuring safety and reliability. Rahul Gandhi, another Congress leader, also conveyed his condolences, calling on party workers to support the rescue efforts. Kharge and Gandhi argued that the train accidents in the past 10 years are a consequence of the Modi government's negligence and mismanagement, and they vowed to continue raising questions and holding the government accountable for this "scary negligence".