West Bengal train accident: Railways Minister takes bike ride to reach spot; death toll mounts to 15; ex-gratia announced
West Bengal train accident: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday took a bike ride to reach the West Bengal train accident site in Darjeeling.
A goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal on Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring approximately 60 others. According to railway officials, the collision caused three of the express train's rear compartments to derail.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to shortly visit the Kanchenjunga Express train accident site in Darjeeling district. pic.twitter.com/wmAti3z2MV — ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
Rescue operations are underway at the site, which is about 30 kilometres from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, with the injured being taken to nearby hospitals.
Earlier in the day, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to X and said, "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."
Ashwini Vaishnaw has also announced an 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 posted.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for next of kin of the deceased 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 posted.
- PTC NEWS
