A war room has been set up in Delhi to coordinate rescue measures.
Kanchanjunga Express accident: The goods train that hit a Kolkata-bound express train this morning in West Bengal's Darjeeling district had overshot the signal, officials said. At least nine died and nearly 50 passengers suffered injuries after the express train traveling from Silchar, Assam to Sealdah, Kolkata was rammed by the goods train near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri. The last three coaches of the express train were derailed and many more were affected, it is learnt.
The loco-pilot of the goods train, his assistant, and the guard of the passenger train are among the eight victims. At least 10 trains have been diverted.
Kanchanjunga Express is frequently used by tourists to travel to the popular hill station of Darjeeling. The route crosses the narrow strip of land called Chicken's Corridor, which links the Northeast with the rest of the country.
The route is an automatic signal section and remains extremely busy with parallel lines, which means there are higher chances of other trains being around.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident "saddening" and said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was on his way to the site. "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," he said in an online post.
Mr Vaishnaw said rescue operations were on at war footing after the "unfortunate incident" and the injured were being taken to hospital.
A war room has also been set up in Delhi to coordinate rescue measures.
Disaster response teams and medical staff have been rushed to the site, said an online post by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"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," she posted on X.
The passenger train had two parcel vans and a guard coach in the rear, which is believed to have significantly reduced the impact of collision.
The Railways has been upgrading all trains with the new LHB coaches, but the Kanchanjunga Express has been running with old coaches made by Integral Coach Factory.
Helpline numbers released by the Railways: 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati.
