West Bengal train tragedy: Recovery efforts continue, several trains rerouted

Many trains were cancelled or diverted on Tuesday (June 18), after the Kanchanjunga Express accident that resulted in 10 deaths and over 50 injuries in the east Indian state of West Bengal, according to officials.

According to the official statement of the Northeast Frontier Railways, five trains - Katihar-Siliguri Intercity Express, Siliguri-Katihar Intercity Express, New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Shatabdi Express, Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express and Siliguri-Jogbani Intercity Express - were cancelled on Tuesday.

New Jalpaiguri to New Delhi Superfast Express was rescheduled, while New Delhi--Dibrugarh Rajdhani Expressand Silchar--Sealedah Kanchanjungha Express were diverted.

On Monday (June 17) at 8:55 am, a goods train crashed into the back of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani, about 10 km south of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Katihar Northeast Frontier Railway, Surendra Kumar told ANI, “Night-long restoration efforts continued at the Kanchanjunga Express accident site. Yesterday, a successful test run was conducted with an engine, two goods trains, and a Shatabdi train towards New Jalpaiguri Junction. With extra caution due to the ongoing repairs, the adjacent track is expected to be operational within the next half hour.”

The Kanchanjunga Express reached its destination, Kolkata's Sealdah, at around 3:15 am on Tuesday after the restoration work was completed.

The death toll reached 10 as a six-year-old succumbed to her injuries at North Bengal Medical College on Tuesday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed her shock over the incident on Monday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and called the accident "saddening".

"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," said PM Modi.

The Indian PM also announced that an ex-gratia of $2,394 (Rs 200,000) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Additionally, those injured will receive $599 (Rs 50,000).

The railway minister said that the cost for the treatment of all those injured will be borne by the state government.

(With inputs from agencies)