Train accident in Siliguri sub-division, 5 died and 25 injured.

Train accident in Siliguri sub-division, 5 died and 25 injured.

Siliguri (West Bengal) June 17: Five persons died and over 25 critically injured in a major train accident in Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district in West Bengal on Monday morning.

The accident occurred after a goods train rammed Sealdah bound Kanchanjangha express from behind at Ruisadha village near Rangapani railway station.

“A goods train hit the Kanchanjungha express near Rangapani railway station. Three coaches of the Kanchanjungha express train were badly damaged. So far, 5 persons died and 25 others have been injured. We have initiated a rescue operation,” said Abhishek Roy, SP of Darjeeling.

The India Railway has issued helpline numbers 7542028020, 9002041952, and 9771441956 and Help desk numbers 033-23508794, 033-23833326 and 6287801805.

Following the incident, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw uploaded a post on the social media platform X and said: “Unfortunate accident in NRF zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railway, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials reached the site.”

Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced enhanced compensation that will be provided to the victims. The family members of the deceased will get Rs 10 lakh compensation while passengers having grievous injuries will get Rs 2.5 lakh and minor injuries persons will get Rs 50 thousand.

EOM.