At Least Eight People Killed, Nearly 50 Injured After Goods Train Collides With Kanchanjungha Express In West Bengal

At least eight people were killed and nearly 50 others injured after a goods train collided with express train in West Bengal's New Jalpaiguri on Monday (17 June) morning.

The Kanchanjungha Express, traveling from Silchar in Assam to Sealdah in Kolkata, was hit from behind by a goods train near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri.

Several coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express were derailed in the crash, according to preliminary reports.

One factor that reportedly limited the number of casualties was that the rear part of the express train comprised a cargo van and the guard's coach, with the passenger compartments situated further ahead.

The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily service connecting Bengal with the Northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala, traversing the Chicken's Neck corridor, a crucial link between the Northeast and the rest of the country.

The accident could potentially disrupt the movement of several other trains on this line.

The train is popular among tourists traveling to Darjeeling, especially during the sultry summer months when many seek relief in the hill station.

The goods train reportedly overshot a signal and crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express, NDTV reported.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and ambulances were dispatched to the site immediately and the rescue efforts are on.