PTC News Desk: A cargo train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express, which was headed for Sealdah, on Monday near the Rangapani station in West Bengal, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and over 60 injuries, according to police.

According to railway officials, the impact of the goods train's locomotive colliding from behind caused three of the express train's rear compartments to derail.

"I was shocked to hear of the tragic train disaster that occurred in the Darjeeling district's Phansidewa area just now. A cargo train is said to have struck the Kanchenjunga Express; further information is pending. For rescue, recovery, and medical support, DM, SP, physicians, ambulances, and disaster teams have been hurried to the scene. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of Bengal, stated in a post on X that "action on war-footing initiated."

#WATCH | West Bengal | Wagon of Kanchenjunga Express train suspended in the air after a goods train rammed into it at Ruidhasa near Rangapani station under Siliguri subdivision in Darjeeling district today; rescue operation underway pic.twitter.com/rYnEfC3vic — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024

The Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from the New Jalpaiguri Station to Sealdah when it collided.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of Bengal, expressed concern about the disaster and said that ambulances, physicians, and district magistrates had been brought to the scene.

#WATCH | Goods train rams into Kanchenjunga Express train in Darjeeling district in West Bengal, several feared injured

Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/8rPyHxccN0 — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024

"I was shocked to hear of the tragic train disaster that occurred in the Darjeeling district's Phansidewa area just now. A cargo train is said to have struck the Kanchenjunga Express; further information is pending. For rescue, recovery, and medical support, DM, SP, physicians, ambulances, and disaster teams have been hurried to the scene. "Action on a war footing has begun," the woman tweeted.

Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in 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,… — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 17, 2024

Rescue efforts are in progress despite the intense rain, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) informed India Today. An emergency medical team has been dispatched to the area of the mishap.

Additionally, a support desk has been established at Sealdah station in relation to the issue.

Ex-gratia announced for next of kin of the deceased

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced that an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh would be made to the next of kin of those killed in the train accident.

"PM Narendra Modi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap in West Bengal. The injured will receive Rs 50,000," the PMO said.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw later announced an increased ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those killed in the Kanchanjunga Express train accident in West Bengal on Monday.

"Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims' families: Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries," Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

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- With inputs from agencies

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