10 Dead, 60 Injured After Goods Train Hits Kanchanjunga Express In Bengal

Ajay Verma

INDIA(West Bengal) A  Goods Train hit the Kanchanjunga Express (13174) from behind at around 9 am on Monday in Darjeeling, West Bengal. 3 coaches of the Kanchenjunga Express were badly damaged in the accident. So far, the bodies of 10 people, including two loco pilots and a guard, have been recovered, while 60 are injured.

The Kanchanjunga Express was going from Agartala to Sealdah in West Bengal. The express train was stopped due to a red signal at Ruidhasa near Rangapani station in Siliguri. Meanwhile, a freight train coming from behind hit it. It is suspected that the pilot of the freight train ignored the signal, which led to the accident.

The Kanchanjunga Express (13174) left Agartala at 8:15 am on June 16. It was to reach Sealdah at 7:20 pm on June 17. The accident took place at Rangapani near New Jalpaiguri station. The train was stopped here at Ruidhasa due to a red signal. Meanwhile, a goods train coming from behind hit it.

The collision was so strong that one express train coach got hung in the air on the engine of the goods train. The other two coaches got derailed. According to the railway, it is suspected that due to heavy rain, the pilot of the goods train could not see the signal, due to which the accident happened. Railway and Bengal officials including NDRF, and SDRF are engaged in the rescue operation.