Train Accident : 15 Dead, Dozens Injured as Goods Train Derails into Kanchenjunga Express

DARJEELING : A freight train ran into the Kanchenjunga Express in Ruidhasa, Darjeeling district, West Bengal, on Monday morning in a terrible accident that claimed lives of 15 passengers and left over 50 with injuries. A chaotic tragic scene at the site resulted from numerous waggons of freight train deraying under impact.

The collision happened under Siliguri subdivision close to Rangapani station. Delhi’s railway officials are keenly observing the matter and organizing relief and rescue activities from the capital. The sight of a wagon from the Kanchenjunga Express hanging in the air after the collision sharp reminder of the force and suddenness of the crash, therefore highlighting the degree of the train accident.

Additional Darjeeling police officer Abhishek Roy gave a sobering update: “Five passengers died and 25 injured in the tragedy. The matter is serious. The incident happened when the Kanchenjunga Express was struck by a freight train. First responders and medical professionals are working nonstop to preserve lives and treat the injured during present rescue efforts.

“Ten buses of North Bengal Rashtriya Paribahan Nigam (NBSTC) have left for the accident site to rescue stranded passengers of the Sealdah-bound Kanchenjunga Express,” Chairman Partha Pratim Roy said in an attempt to assist the stranded passengers. Furthermore operating from this afternoon will be extra bus services from Siliguri Tenzing Norgay from Siliguri-Kolkata bus terminus.”

Traveling in the B1 carriage, one of the Kanchenjunga Express survivors related the horrific moment of impact: “I was traveling in B1 coach when the train was hit. I have been pulled from under and have a head injury. Such first-hand reports draw attention to the horrific events of people engaged in the catastrophe and show its quick and terrible character.

Following the incident, there has been a notable social media outrage. As users of platform X urged the resignation of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, therefore demanding moral responsibility for the tragedy, the hashtag “Resign” trended. Critics noted that Vaishnaw should focus on the urgent problems of safety and responsibility inside the railway system even while he would shortly be reporting encouraging news about the Vande Bharat train.

The rescue and recovery activities at the accident scene still take front stage right now. While efforts are being made to clear the wreckage and restore normalcy, medical professionals are on the ground treating the injured urgently. This sad incident reminds us very clearly the weaknesses in the railway system and the need of strict safety precautions to stop such events in the future.