Bengal train crash results in nine fatalities and sixty injuries.While at the scene of a train accident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav makes a commitment "Comprehensive research"

In the Darjeeling area of West Bengal, a cargo train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express on Monday, resulting in at least nine fatalities and sixty injuries.

The collision happened 30 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri station, close to Rangapani station. The locomotive of the goods train struck the Kanchanjunga Express from behind, forcing four of its rear compartments to derail.

The Railway Board said on Monday that preliminary investigation results into the West Bengal Kanchanjunga Express accident indicate that the goods train "over-speeded" and crashed into the stationary passenger train, exceeding the speed limits it was required to travel due to the "defective" automatic signalling system on the section.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolences, describing the West Bengal incident as terrible and expressing his prayers for the injured parties' quick recovery. Modi expressed his sadness over the West Bengal train catastrophe in a post on X. To those who have lost loved ones, my condolences."

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the spot, took stock of relief operations and announced compensation for the injured and kin of the deceased. Enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims: Rs 10 lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 lakh towards grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries, Vaishnaw posted on X.

He said the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has started a probe into the cause of the accident and added that measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the circumstances that led to the accident.

The incident had an impact on long-distance train services from northeastern and north Bengal regions. Because the rails were still closed at the accident scene, Eastern Railway officials indicated that a number of long-distance trains were being route-divided through the Siliguri-Bagdogra-Aluabari zone rather than their regular route.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on Monday that the railroads had become "totally parentless," with the sole goal being to raise fees rather than provide passenger services.

Video credit: News18 India

"The railroads no longer have any parental figureship. The old magnificence is gone, but the ministry remains. The only thing being done is cosmetic; passenger amenities are unimportant to them. All they're interested in is rising fares," she asserted.

She blasted the Railway Ministry, saying that improper application of the anti-collision technology might lessen the severity of such incidents. "There has been an increase in train accidents. It is a fact that nobody has any control over accidents. However, she claimed, "the railways are not correctly implementing the anti-collision system."