Kanchanjunga Express train accident highlights: Restoration and rescue work underway, say officials

Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express wreck LIVE news updates: At least 15 people were dead and around 60 others injured after a goods train slammed into the Kanchanjhunga Express near New Jalpaiguri

2:07 PM

Kanchanjungha Express train accident LIVE update: Death count could further increase, says officials

The death toll could increase further in the West Bengal train accident case could increase further. The state and Centre were  coordinating along with locals to rescue the trapped passengers.

1:59 PM

Central government enhances compensation for kin of deceased and injured passengers

Rs 10 lakh to be given in case of death and Rs 2.5 lakh towards grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries, railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said today. 

1:48 PM

Modi govt converted rail ministry into platform of 'camera-driven' self-promotion, says Kharge

"In the past 10 years, Modi govt has indulged in the utter mismanagement of the Railway Ministry. As a responsible Opposition, it is our bounden duty to underline how the Modi Govt has systematically converted the Rail Ministry into a platform of 'Camera-driven' self-promotion! Make no mistake, we will remain persistent with our questions and shall make the Modi Govt accountable for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways", Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said today.

1:35 PM

West bengal train accident update: President Murmu condoles loss of lives

In a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu extended her prayers to the mourning families and wished for the quick recovery of the injured

1:25 PM

Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express update: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to visit crash site

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit thetrain accident site in Siliguri to inspect relief operations, says official.

1:12 PM

Possibly this engine did not have 'Kavach,' govt will take corrective action, says ex-railways minister

"It is too early to talk about the cause of it but in the modern times it required an inquiry and deep corrections...I am guessing that possibly this engine did not have 'Kavach' (an automatic train protection (ATP) system). I have no doubt that the govt will take corrective action,"  former railways minister Dinesh Trivedi said today. 

12:59 PM

Three railway personnel among those killed

Three railway personnel among those killed in the tragic accident in West Bengal. At least 15 people were dead after a goods train crashed into with the Kanchanjhunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal.

12:54 PM

Loco pilot who disregarded signal lost his life: CEO, railway board on West Bengal accident

"Rescue operation has been completed. The driver (Loco pilot) who disregarded the signal has died & also the guard of Kanchenjunga Express has lost his life. Help desks established at all railway stations along Agartala- Sealdah route," Jaya Varma Sinha, chairman and CEO of the Railway Board said today.

12:41 PM

PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for next of kin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the relative of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured would be compensated with Rs 50,000.

 

12:35 PM

Train accident update: Help desk numbers issued by Indian Railways

The help desk numbers issued by Railways are:

 

Sealdah

033-23508794

033-23833326

 

GHY Station 

03612731621

03612731622

03612731623

 

KIR STATION

6287801805

 

Katihar

09002041952

9771441956

 

LMG 

03674263958

03674263831

03674263120

03674263126

03674263858

12:30 PM

Kanchanjungha Express update: Railways officials in Delhi monitoring situation at accident site

At least fifteen passengers died and 60 others were injured after a goods train crashed into Kanchenjunga Express train in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal today.

12:22 PM

Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express update: PM Modi condoles loss of lives

"The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well," PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

11:43 AM

West Bengal train accident news: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw leaving for Darjeeling

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X: “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site.”