New Delhi, June 17 (UNI) Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw termed the Kanchanjunga Express train accident at Rangapani station in North Bengal on Monday “unfortunate” and informed that “rescue operations were going on war footing”.
“Unfortunate accident in the NFR zone. Rescue operations are going on at the war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site,” Vaishnaw wrote in a social media post on X.
Although he did not mention any casualties, police confirmed the deaths of at least seven people and injured 30 others.
The Railway Minister’s reaction came as the Sealdah-bound passenger express train collided with a goods train around 8.30 am near New Jalpaigur.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu said top rail officials were rushed to the accident site.
“A tragic accident has occurred in the NFR zone. Swift rescue operations are underway with coordinated efforts from the railways, NDRF, and SDRF. The injured are being quickly moved to hospitals. Senior officials are on-site to supervise,” he posted on the social media platform.
