Eight people died and nearly 50 others were injured when the Kanchanjunga Express (Train No. 13174), traveling from Silchar to Sealdah, was struck from behind by a goods train near Rangapani Railway Station in the Phansidewa locality of Darjeeling.
The accident occurred around 8:50 a.m. in the morning. According to reports, three rear compartments of the express were derailed in the crash. The Kanchanjungha Express operates within the Eastern Railway Zone, connecting Sealdah in Kolkata with Silchar in Assam.
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Ministry reaction on the Kanchanjungha Express Train Collision
“Action on War Footing,” says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed that doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams have rushed to the accident site for the rescue and medical assistance of the victims.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his concerns on X, calling the train accident “unfortunate.” He added that rescue teams have been sent for help, and the injured are being taken to the hospital.
Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 17, 2024
Kanchanjungha Express Accident: Rescue Teams and Helpdesks Made Available
Rescue operations teams reached the accident site, and around 50 people were rushed to North Bengal Medical College, in ambulances and buses from North Bengal Rashtriya Paribahan Nigam (NBSTC) that were sent for the rescue operation. Help Desks were made available to facilitate communication.
“Medical help is fully provided to save the lives of the injured people from our end”, says Jaya Varma Sinha Chairman & CEO Railway Board.
Draupadi Murmu, expressed condolences to the families, called the tragic accident to be deeply distressing and offered prayers for the injured.
Rising Train Accidents Cases in India (2020-2024)
The Kanchanjungha Train Accident is the second train incident this year, adding to a total of approximately 28 train tragedies since 2020. The most fatal occurred in June 2023, a triple-train crash in Odisha, resulting in more than 1200 injuries and 296 fatalities.
Key Causes of Train Accidents
Poor Infrastructure and maintenance of protocols, signalling failures, long working hours of loco-pilots, and technical failures could be some potential causes that can lead to collisions and derailments of trains.
Extended 12-hour shifts for loco-pilots, beyond their usual working hours becoming a growing concern.
Safety Concerns: Public Agitation Grows, Blames Railway Ministry
Several users on X commented on Ashwini Vaishnaw’s post, and urged him to take accountability and resign on moral grounds.
#Resign trending on X, with many voices speaking against the Railway Minister asking him to step down from his ministerial position.
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