Kanchanjungha Express collides with goods train near Bengal's New Jalpaiguri

Kanchanjungha Express updates: Several people were feared dead and others injured after a goods train rammed into the Kanchanjungha Express train in Darjeeling district in West Bengal on Monday.

Kanchanjungha Express which runs between Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata was Sealdah bound when a goods train hit it from behind near Rangapani station, located close to New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal, according to Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer - Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).

As per Abhishek Roy, Additional SP of Darjeeling Police, five passengers were found dead and 25 were injured in the accident.

As per sources, senior officials have reached the accident site, SDRF and NDRF are engaged in relief rescue. The injured are being shifted to the nearest hospital 

Soon a committee is expected to investigate the accident.

According to initial reports, two coaches of express train got derailed after a goods train collided with it from the rear.

The incident happened at Rangapani area in the Katihar Railway Division ahead of New Jalpaiguri Junction at around 8:45 am today.

Till now no information has been received of the number of casualties, Tripura Transport Minister, Sushant Chaudhary said on his social media platform.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the mishap tool place in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district.

"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," Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X.

"The DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated," the West Bengal chief minister said.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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