NATIONAL/STATE: As per reports, five people died and 30 others were injured after a Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday after being hit by a goods train in Bengal’s Siliguri. The train was en route to the Sealdah station in Kolkata from Agartala when the accident took place.

At least two compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed as a result of the massive collision, with one of the coaches suspended in the air as seen in the visuals. The accident happened in Siliguri’s Rangapani region, nearly seven kilometers from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station. The ⁠NDRF, Divisional team, and ambulances have reached the site, the Eastern Railway said.

On the other hand, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw remarks the accident as Unfortunate. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site”.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha spoke with Railway Minister Vaishnaw in this regard and informed cost of treatment of all injured will be borne by the State government.

According to CM Saha posted on his X handle ‘Spoke with Hon’ble Union Minister for RailMinIndia Shri AshwiniVaishnaw Ji regarding the collision of Kanchanjungha Express with Goods train in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
Hon’ble Union Minister informed me that the rescue operation is going on in full swing and assured that all necessary support would be given to the victims and their families.’

‘State Government is continuously monitoring the situation since morning. Tripura Bhawan officials instructed to visit the accident site for proper monitoring of rescue and rehabilitation of accident victims. The cost of treatment of all injured will be borne by the State government. In case of any unfortunate accidental death, the State Government has declared Rs. 2 lakhs ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the victim.’