Kolkata. At least 15 people were killed and 60 injured when a speeding freight train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchenjunga Express near Rangapani station, just before New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal on Monday. Three coaches of the express train derailed after the locomotive hit the rear of the train. According to reports, the rescue operation is now almost over and the injured are being treated at nearby hospitals. Soon after the accident, the counter at Jalpaiguri station stopped issuing train tickets, due to which a man could not attend his father’s funeral.
In this tragic accident, a total of 15 people, including the loco pilot of the goods train, lost their lives while many were injured. The injured have been admitted to the North Bengal Medical College. The incident affected the movement of trains at Jalpaiguri station. As a result, ticket issuance from the station had to be stopped, causing further inconvenience to passengers. Due to this, a young man could not reach home in time to bid his last farewell to his father. Reportedly, he was turned away from the counter due to non-issuance of ticket and he could not be a part of his father’s funeral.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. Apart from this, financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh each has been announced for the seriously injured passengers and Rs 50,000 each for the minor injured passengers. Let us tell you that a freight train hit the Kanchenjunga Express from behind at around 9 am on Monday morning in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. This accident happened near Rangapani station.
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 17, 2024, 21:54 IST