In a devastating incident that underscores the vulnerabilities of India’s extensive rail network, at least 15 people have been killed and nearly 30 injured after a freight train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. The tragic accident occurred on Monday morning, near the New Jalpaiguri station, causing four compartments of the passenger train to derail.
Initial investigations suggest human error as the primary cause of the collision. Jaya Varma Sinha, the head of the railway board, reported that the driver of the freight train disregarded a signal, resulting in the train crashing into the rear end of the Kanchanjunga Express. This impact caused significant damage, with one compartment dramatically rising vertically into the air,Rescue operations quickly commenced, involving local police, the national disaster response force, doctors, and local residents working tirelessly to clear the debris and aid survivors.
The collision has highlighted the continuing challenges faced by India’s rail network, which, despite recent investments, remains prone to frequent accidents. India’s railways, one of the largest and busiest in the world, transport over 12 million passengers daily across a sprawling 64,000-kilometer network. The government has been working to modernize the system, implementing new stations and advanced electronic signaling. However, outdated equipment and human error still contribute to several hundred accidents each year.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as "tragic" and stated that an "action on war-footing" had been initiated. Medical teams, ambulances, and disaster response units were quickly dispatched to the site. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the injured were being taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Abhishek Roy, a senior police official from Darjeeling, confirmed that 15 bodies had been recovered from the mangled carriages. Among the dead were three railway personnel, according to Sabyasachi De, the spokesperson for the Northeast Frontier Railway. This tragic event is a stark reminder of the risks inherent in India's rail system, despite ongoing efforts to enhance safety and efficiency.
The Kanchanjunga Express, a daily service connecting West Bengal with northeastern cities, is popular among tourists heading to the hill station of Darjeeling. The region is especially favored during the summer months when many Indian cities endure sweltering heat. The train's mixed composition of cargo and passenger coaches added to the complexity of the rescue operations, as officials worked to ensure that all passengers were accounted for and treated.
This accident follows one of the deadliest rail crashes in recent Indian history, which occurred last year in eastern India, killing at least 280 people. These incidents continue to raise concerns about the effectiveness of the safety measures in place and the urgent need for further modernization of the rail network.
In response to the incident, there have been calls for a thorough review of the railway safety protocols and stricter enforcement of existing regulations. The collision in Darjeeling serves as a poignant reminder of the potential human cost associated with lapses in safety within the rail system. As the nation mourns the lives lost, it also faces the pressing challenge of preventing such tragedies in the future, ensuring safer journeys for the millions who rely on this vital transportation network every day.
