The toll could rise, as multiple agencies of the state and Centre were simultaneously working on war footing along with locals to rescue passengers who could still be trapped inside, they said.
The deceased include the pilot and co-pilot of the goods train, a senior railway official said.
The injured are being taken to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, police said.
The three rear compartments derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about 30 km from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station, the official said.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 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,” he said.
The PM also announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would be provided Rs 50,000.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday left for West Bengal to take stock of relief operations following the train accident.
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.
According to preliminary information received from rail officials, the passenger train was stationary on the tracks when the goods train rammed into it from behind.
While two rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express were immediately thrown off the tracks under the severe impact, another bogie was seen precariously hanging mid-air with the engine of the goods train tucked underneath.
Inclement weather in the region posed an additional challenge to the rescue operations, the officials said.
The accident triggered haunting memories of the Coromandel Express disaster near Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha a year ago, which killed nearly 300 people and injured over a 1,000 others.
The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was bound for Sealdah from Agartala when the accident occurred around 9 am, the railway official said.
A tragic accident has occurred in the NFR zone. Swift rescue operations are underway with coordinated efforts from Railways, NDRF, and SDRF. The injured are being quickly moved to hospitals. Senior officials are on-site to supervise. #NFRAccident #RescueOperations
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on X, said: “Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train.
“DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated,” she added.
Long-distance train services from north Bengal and the northeastern part of the country were affected due to the accident.
State government officials said additional bus services were being introduced from the region on an emergency basis to transport the affected commuters.
BJP MP from Darjeeling Raju Bista was among the leaders who rushed to the spot to oversee rescue operations.
A passenger from Agartala, who was in coach number S6 of the Kanchanjunga Express, said he felt a sudden jerk and the compartment screeched to a halt.
He also claimed that the relief and rescue operations were delayed.
“My wife, child and I somehow managed to come out of the mangled coach. We are currently stranded... The rescue operations also started quite late,” the passenger told a television channel.
Signal had been defective since 5.50 am, says railway source
New Delhi: The automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal was defective since 5.50 in the morning, according to a railway source.
“Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to automatic signalling failure from 5:50 am,” the source told PTI.
According to another railway official, when the automatic signalling system fails, the station master issues a written authority called TA 912, which authorises the driver to cross all red signals in the section because of the defect.
“The station master of Ranipatra had issued TA 912 to Train No 1374 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express),” the source said.
He added, “Around the same time, a goods train, GFCJ, departed Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit 13174 in the rear portion resulting from the derailment of the guard’s coach, two parcel coaches and a general seating coach.”
Sources said that an investigation alone can establish whether the goods train was also given TA 912 to cross defective signals at speed or if it was the loco pilot, who violated the defective signal norm.
If it is the latter, the driver was supposed to stop the train for one minute at each defective signal and move on with 10 kmph speed.
The loco pilot’s body has questioned the Railways’ statement that the driver violated the red signal.
“It is highly objectionable to announce the dear loco pilot responsible when he is dead and CRS inquiry pending,” Sanjay Pandhi, the working president of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), said.
According to Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha, the collision happened because a goods train disregarded the signal and hit the Kanchanjungha Express, which was on way to Sealdah from Agartala.
