Track horror: Goods train hits Kanchanjunga Exp, 15 killed

New Jalpaiguri/Kolkata/ New Delhi: At least fifteen people were killed according to sources and 41 injured after a goods train rammed into the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from behind in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday.

Among the deceased were the pilot of the goods train and the guard of the passenger train, he added. While the railways put the toll at 9, local reports attributed put the casualty count at 15.

The railways have become totally parentless. Though the ministry is there, the old glory is missing. Only beautification is being done, but they do not care about passenger amenities. They are only keen on hiking fares. —Mamata Banerjee West Bengal CM

The collision occurred near Rangapani station, 30 km from New Jalpaiguri station, causing four rear compartments of Kanchanjunga Express to derail due to the impact from behind by the goods train's locomotive, the official said.

"The collision happened because the goods train disregarded the signal and hit the Kanchanjunga Express, which was on its way to Sealdah from Agartala," Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha told reporters in Delhi.

According to preliminary information, the passenger train was stationary on the tracks when the goods train rammed into it. (PTI)