Kolkata: Nine people and nearly 50 people injured when a goods train collided with Kanchanajunga Express near Rangapani station at Darjeeling district in West Bengal on Monday.

Kanchanjunga Express was travelling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata when a goods train hit it from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri.

The Railway Minister said that the Ministry will give compensation of ₹ 10 lakh each to the families of the victims, ₹ 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries and ₹ 50,000 for minor injuries.

Three coaches of Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the crash. One factor which limited casualties is the fact that the rear part of Kanchanjunga Express comprised of the parcel coach and the guard’s coach and the passenger compartments further ahead suffered less impact.

Speaking to the media persons, Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha said that the accident took place around 9 am. The rescue work is complete. The injured have been shifted to the North Bengal medical college and they are being provided the best possible treatment, she added.

The unaffected front portion of Kanchenjunga Express will resume its onward journey soon so that the passengers can reach their destination she said.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her twitter x said that doctors and disaster response teams have been rushed to the spot.  Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated.

The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train that connects Bengal with the Northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala.  According to the official sources the goods train overshot the signal and crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express. Teams of the NDRF and ambulances have been rushed to the spot.

The Railways have released helpline numbers on which people could seek information about the situation. The numbers are 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622 and 03612731623 at Guwahati.