Four were killed, 20 were injured while travelling by train in West Bengal. Between New Maynaguri and New Domohani railway stations, Gauhati-Bikaner Express derailed in West Bengal at around 5 pm.
Jalpaiguri, West Bengal: Depression has been reported of many passengers trapped in the rubble after a train crash in North Bengal. At least four people were killed and more than 20 were injured, said Moumita Godala Basu, Jalpaiguri District Magistrate. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will visit the scene of the accident tonight, sources said.
Recommended read: India Records 1.68 Lakh New Covid Cases, 6.4% Lower Than Yesterday
At least 40 people were rescued from missing coaches, 24 were sent to Jalpaiguri District Hospital and 16 were sent to Moynaguri Government Hospital. About 10 people are in critical condition and will be transferred to North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri, New Frontier Railway sources said.
Many commuters are feared to be trapped inside stray coaches and gas cuts are being used to open up plains full of plains, according to Railway sources.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said he was “personally monitoring” the situation and had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on rescue operations.
In this pandemic situation Coaches of Bikaner - Guahati express left the track near New Maynaguri (West Bengal) this evening
An investigation has been received into the High Commissioner for Rail Safety in the crash. The Chairman of the Railway Board and DG has left Delhi to go to the accident scene.
Compensation was announced as ₹ 5 lakh for death, ₹ 1 lakh for serious injuries, and R25,000 for “minor injuries”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in the middle of a meeting with senior ministers to review the status of COVID-19, questioned West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee about the accident. CM Mamata Banerjee had discussed with the Jalpaiguri district magistrate about this accident. She also reported to prime minister Narendra Modi about relief and rescue operations. Pictures from the scene show people being rescued from the rubble of crashed train tracks lying on the sidewalk near high-rise railway tracks.
The train derailed between New Domohani and New Maynaguri railway stations around 5 pm. Rail and county officials do rescue and relief work.
“We were suddenly shocked. We were all moving so hard and the loads on top of them collapsed everywhere,” a passenger told PTI news agency.
A slightly disturbed trainer sits on top of another under the impact, while a few bombshells on the slope overturned.
The train had left Bikaner yesterday and was due to arrive in Guwahati this evening.
