LIVE | Kanchanjunga Express accident: 9 killed, 41 injured, says Railway Ministry
The express, a daily train, was on its way to Sealdah in Kolkata from Tripura’s Agartala when the goods train hit it near Rangapani station
Seven passengers and two railway staffers were killed and 41 more injured in the Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday (June 17), figures released by the Railway Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said nine people suffered grievous injuries and 32 simple or minor injuries. The "Up line" has been cleared and train operations have started, it said and added that "the 'Down line' will also be cleared shortly".
The Kanchanjunga express, going to Sealdah in West Bengal from Agartala in Tripura, was on the "Down line" and a goods train rammed into it from behind near the New Jalpaiguri station, around 600 km from Kolkata.
According to initial ground reports based on the statements of the local police, 15 people were said to have lost their lives in the accident. However, the ministry clarified that the number of deaths is nine, so far.
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Live Updates
- 17 Jun 2024 3:40 PM IST
Mishap is a matter of deep sorrow: Puducherry CM
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Monday expressed shock and deep sorrow over the death of passengers in a train accident in West Bengal.
In a release, Rangasamy said, "the mishap is a matter of deep sorrow, and I am shocked over the incident leaving several passengers dead. I convey my grief to the bereaved families." The chief minister also said that he is praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
- 17 Jun 2024 2:23 PM IST
Shah condoles loss of lives in West Bengal train accident
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday condoled the loss of lives in the train accident in West Bengal and wished for speedy recovery of those injured.
"The train accident that happened in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal is very sad. I express my condolences to those who lost their family members in this unfortunate accident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said on X in Hindi and Bangla.
- 17 Jun 2024 2:06 PM IST
#WATCH | Kanchenjunga Express train accident | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "I have spoken to the Railway minister regarding the accident. The train was from Tripura & passes through Assam. There will be many passengers from Assam. We remain concerned about the… pic.twitter.com/Ul1ha457Nd
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024 - 17 Jun 2024 1:35 PM IST
Railways minister announces enhanced ex-gratia
"Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims; ₹10 Lakh in case of death, ₹2.5 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries," says Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a post on X.
