Kolkata : The accident occurred when a freight train rammed into a stationary passenger train, the Kanchenjunga Express, in the New Jalpaiguri area on Monday morning. Dramatic footage from the accident site showed a wagon of the express train hanging in the air.
It is not yet clear what caused the accident, but officials say a detailed investigation will be conducted. Officials say ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue efforts. “We are trying to complete the rescue operation as soon as possible,” railway official Sabyasachi Dey told reporters. “According to the initial information we have, the Kanchenjunga Express was hit from behind by a freight train,” he said.
He said the cause would be confirmed only after an investigation. A passenger rescued from the Kanchenjunga Express said he suffered head injuries in the accident. “I was travelling in B1 coach when the train hit me,” he told. Federal Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said relief teams were carrying out rescue operations in collaboration with railway officials.
The railways have set up a control desk with a helpline number at Rangapani station, near which the collision took place.
Several helpline numbers issued by railways
Sealdah
033-23508794
033-23833326
Guwahati Station
03612731621
03612731622
03612731623
Lumding Junction
03674263958
03674263831
03674263120
03674263126
03674263858
Katihar
6287801805
09002041952
9771441956
⦁ T/No. 13174 DN (Silchar – Sealdah) Kanchanjunga Express had meet with a collision from the rear end by a GFCJ Container freight train between Rangapani (RNI)- Chattar Hat (CAT) section at Katihar (KIR) Division of N.F. Railway. The accident occurred at about 08:55 hrs.
⦁
⦁ CASUALTY- Rear 04 coaches of 13174 DN and 05 containers of freight train (GFCJ) with front train engine. Update on passengers injury yet to be ascertained. At around 09:57 hrs. Rear Engine of 12872 Howrah Ispat Express left Aluabari Road (AUB) for clearing the front portion of 13174 DN
⦁ EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBERS:
⦁ KIR Emergency Help desk No- 6287801805
⦁ Commercial Control- 9002041952, 9771441956
⦁ NJP Station Emergency No- 6287801758
⦁ (Accident Relief Train) ART / New Jalpaiguri (NJP)- 9434085300/ 9434085301/ 6287801742
⦁ ARME/NJP- 6287801756/9934807885/9608815719
⦁ Aluabari Road Junction (AUB) Emergency No- 8170034235
⦁ Kishanganj (KNE) Emergency No- 7542028020 & 06456-226795
⦁ Dalkhola (DLK) Emergency No- 8170034228
⦁ Barsoi (BOE) Emergency No- 7541806358
⦁ SAMSI Emergency No- 03513-265690/ 03513- 265692
⦁ (Accident Relief Train)ART/KIR No- 9473198029/9473198026
⦁ Rangiya Division Help desk No.- Rangiya Junction station: 9101095573, New Bongaigaon station: 9435021417/9287998179 and Barpeta Road station: 9287998173
⦁ Guwahati Help desk No.-Guwahtai station: 03612731621/03612731622/03612731623
⦁ ARME/KIR- 9473198307/9473198308/9473198309/9473198310/6287801752/6287801753/6287801754/
⦁ 6287801755
Last year, a devastating crash of three trains in the eastern state of Odisha killed nearly 290 people and injured over 1,000.
