A devastating incident unfolded in West Bengal on Monday morning, claiming the lives of at least 11 individuals and leaving dozens injured, as a passenger train was rear-ended by a goods train. The collision, which occurred near Rangapani station in the Darjeeling district, has once again brought the critical issue of railway safety to the forefront in India, prompting immediate rescue efforts and a high-level investigation into its causes.
Tragedy Strikes Darjeeling: The Collision Details
The accident took place at approximately 8:30 AM when the Kanchanjunga Express, a passenger train en route from Agartala to Sealdah, was stationary or moving slowly near Rangapani station. A goods train, reportedly travelling on the same track, collided with the rear of the express train. The impact was severe, causing significant damage to the last few coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express, including the guard’s coach and two parcel coaches, which were derailed and flung into the air.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and horror, with the mangled coaches bearing the brunt of the collision. Initial reports confirmed at least 11 fatalities, primarily comprising railway staff, including the loco pilot of the goods train and the guard of the Kanchanjunga Express, along with several passengers. Over 40 individuals sustained injuries, ranging from minor to critical, and were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. The sheer force of the impact raised concerns about the structural integrity of the coaches and the speed at which the goods train might have been travelling.
Intense Rescue and Relief Operations Underway
Immediately following the disaster, a massive multi-agency rescue operation was launched. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, railway officials, and medical personnel swiftly converged on the accident site. Their primary focus was on extricating passengers trapped inside the mangled coaches and providing immediate first aid to the injured.
The rescue efforts were challenging due to the severe damage to the coaches and the difficult terrain. Gas cutters were employed to cut through twisted metal, allowing access to trapped individuals. Ambulances lined up to transport the injured to various medical facilities, including North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Railway authorities quickly set up emergency helplines at several stations to provide information to anxious relatives and facilitate coordination. Evacuation trains were arranged for uninjured passengers to continue their journey to Sealdah, ensuring their safe passage despite the harrowing experience. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promptly visited the site, announcing ex-gratia compensation for the victims and reiterating the government’s commitment to providing all necessary support.
Focus Shifts to Investigation and Railway Safety
While rescue operations continue, the focus has rapidly shifted towards understanding the precise cause of this tragic collision. Preliminary investigations point towards potential signal failure or human error as leading factors. Railway officials have initiated a high-level inquiry to ascertain how two trains ended up on the same track, leading to such a catastrophic outcome. The Data Logger and other technical records are being scrutinised to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
The incident underscores the perpetual challenge of maintaining safety across India’s vast and complex railway network, one of the largest in the world. Despite continuous efforts to upgrade infrastructure and implement advanced signalling systems like Kavach, such accidents serve as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities that persist. “Our immediate priority is relief and restoration, but a thorough investigation will determine accountability and guide future preventive measures,” stated a senior railway official involved in the inquiry, highlighting the critical need for a comprehensive review of operational protocols.
The nation mourns the loss of lives in Darjeeling. As the injured recover and investigations proceed, there is a collective hope that the findings will lead to robust safety enhancements, ensuring such tragic incidents become a thing of the past for Indian Railways, which remains the lifeline for millions across the subcontinent.
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