Nine people were killed and around 50 passengers were injured after a good train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express travelling to Kolkata from Assam's Silchar in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The goods train rammed the passenger express from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was seen riding a motorbike to reach the accident site. PM Modi has taken stock of the situation.
The impact of the collision derailed two coaches of the passenger train. The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train that connects Bengal with the Northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala. This route is in the Chicken's Neck corridor, which connects the Northeast with the rest of the country.
"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," Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X.