Kanchenjunga Train accident

On Monday, a major train accident took place near New Jalpaiguri station located in North Bengal. Three rear coaches of Kanchenjunga Express derailed after colliding with another goods train, which hit it from the back. 15 casualties have been reported, with 60 passengers being injured.

The Railway Board calls this accident as 'most likely a human error'. The Rail board Chairman and CEO Jaya Varma Sinha stated in a press release that the goods train driver ignored the signal. However, more details would be revealed after the investigation.

The total number of casualties could still rise as there may be passengers still trapped inside the train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakhs to the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakhs for major and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.

Around 45 passengers have been admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. The driver and the guard of the train were also in the list of the people killed.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will visit the accident site. President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and West Bengal Mamata Banerjee have all conveyed their sympathies for the victims.