Train Collision Claims 15 Lives, Dozens Injured

A devastating train collision occurred in India’s West Bengal state on Monday, resulting in the loss of at least 15 lives and injuring dozens more.

The catastrophic accident took place in the Darjeeling district when a freight train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express passenger train, according to Al Jazeera.

Preliminary investigations suggest human error as the likely cause of the tragedy, which highlights the ongoing safety concerns plaguing India’s rail network. The country witnesses hundreds of accidents annually, and this incident is a stark reminder of the need for improved safety measures.

Rescue efforts are currently underway in Darjeeling, West Bengal, where a tragic train collision has claimed at least 15 lives, according to Abhishek Roy, a senior police official. The death toll may rise as crews work to clear debris from the mangled carriages. Nearly 30 people have been injured, and a team of police, national disaster response forces, doctors, and local residents are collaborating to search for survivors.

Sabyasachi De, spokesperson for the Northeast Frontier Railway, confirmed that three of the fatalities were railway staff members. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has deployed emergency responders, including doctors, ambulances, and disaster teams, to the site of the train crash near New Jalpaiguri station. She described the efforts as “action on war-footing” and characterized the incident as “tragic”.

Dramatic TV footage showed the aftermath of the train collision, with one train’s compartment thrust into the air and another train’s rear end crumpled from the impact. A large crowd gathered at the scene as rescue teams scrambled to search for survivors.

According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the injured are receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals. The accident occurred when the freight train’s driver ignored a signal and collided with the rear of the express train, causing four compartments to derail, including one passenger coach and three cargo cars.

This tragic incident has raised questions about the safety of India’s rail network and the need for improved measures to prevent such accidents in the future. As rescue efforts continue, the nation mourns the loss of lives and prays for the speedy recovery of those injured.

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