Atleast eight people has died today in a tragic accident when the Agartala – Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express that left Agartala on June collided from rear by a Goods train carrying containers between Rangapani and Chatterhat station under the Katihar division of N.F. Railway today.

According to a statement by the Chief Public Relations Officer N. F. Railway/Maligaon Guwahati, the location is about 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station. The incident occurred at about 08-55 hrs this morning.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also informed in a tweet on X, “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.”

On receiving the information, Accident Relief Medical team along with Men and machinery immediatedly started for the location, where Senior officials from New Jalpaiguri and Katihar also reached the site. General Manager, N.F. Railway Chetan Kr. Shrivastava also left by train from Maligaon for the site with other senior officials.

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“As a result of the incident, four coaches from the rear side of the Kanchanjungha Express and five wagons of the container carrying train got derailed blocking the train movements of both Up and Down lines,” informed the Chief Public Relations Officer.

About eight people died and nearly 25 has been injured. “All the injured persons are being provided adequate medical help. The unaffected portion of the Kanchanjunga Express has already left the site for its onward journey. All the passengers of the Kanchanjungha Express were provided Food packets and water bottles. Helpline numbers were issued and circulated at all important stations en-route of the train,” mentioned the statement.

Minister Vaishnaw has also announced that enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims: ₹10 Lakh in case of death, and ₹2.5 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.