2024 West Bengal train collision: Difference between revisions
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* A [[freight train|goods train]] (Train |
* A [[freight train|goods train]] (Train No. GFCJ) |
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* [[Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express|Kanchanjunga Express]] (Train |
* [[Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express|Kanchanjunga Express]] (Train No. 13174) between [[Agartala railway station|Agartala]] and [[Sealdah railway station|Sealdah]] |
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| deaths = 10 |
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Revision as of 13:01, 19 June 2024
| West Bengal train collision | |
|---|---|
 Location of collision | |
  Crash location on a map of India | |
| Details | |
| Date | 17 June 2024 around 9:00 IST |
| Location | Near Rangapani railway station, Darjeeling district, West Bengal |
| Coordinates | 26°40′N 88°23′E / 26.66°N 88.38°E |
| Country | India |
| Line | Katihar–Siliguri line |
| Operator | Indian Railways |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Incident type | Collision, derailment |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 trains
|
| Crew | 6+ |
| Deaths | 10 |
| Injured | 60+ |
On 17 June 2024, two trains collided in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. A goods train collided with Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express, a passenger train near Rangapani railway station. Ten people were killed and more than 60 were injured.[1]
Crash
On 17 June 2024, Kanchanjunga Express (Train No. 13174), a passenger train was traveling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in West Bengal. The train was proceeding from the New Jalpaiguri Junction and crossed Rangapani railway station, a non-stopping station on the Katihar–Siliguri line. The train was stationary on the tracks, waiting for a green signal to proceed further towards Chatterhat railway station. At 8:45 IST, a goods train (Train no: GFCJ) crossed the Rangapani station and was proceeding on the same line. At 8:53, the goods train rammed the stationary passenger train from behind, causing three coaches of the Kanchenjunga Express to derail.[2][3]
Victims
Ten people were killed and more than 60 were injured in the collision. The operator of the goods train was amongst those killed.[4][5]
Aftermath
The Railways minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site to oversee the response.[6] The Ministry of Railways announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) for the dead, ₹2.5 lakh (US$3,000) for those seriously injured and ₹50,000 (US$600) for those with minor injuries.[7] Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh (US$2,400) for the dead and ₹50,000 (US$600) for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).[8] Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh (US$2,400) for the victims who were from Tripura.[9] Nineteen trains were cancelled in the aftermath of the crash. The injured were brought to North Bengal Medical College.[9][10]
Causes
The chairman of the Railway Board said that the operator of the goods train ignored multiple red signals, which might have caused the crash.[11] The train operators union criticised the statement as premature.[12] Railway sources said the cause of the incident may have been a faulty automatic signal, which was defective since 5:50 IST.[13] The trains were not equipped with Kavach, a collision avoidance system designed by Indian Railways.[14]
Preliminary investigation revealed that the trains were issued manual clearances called TA 912 to ignore the faulty signals. The passenger train had crossed nine signals from the Rangapani station and was awaiting further clearance.
The operator of the goods train was also issued a manual clearance by the station master of the Rangapani station to ignore the faulty signals and proceed further. This put the two trains on a collision course. The TA 912 clearance is typically granted when there are no other obstructions present along the section. Excessive speed was also considered as a contributing factor. Rules generally require trains proceeding manually to wait for one minute at each red signal.[15][12][16][17]
Reactions
President of India Draupadi Murmu said she would pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.[9] On 17 June, Prime Minister Modi offered his condolences and said that rescue operations were underway.[8] Leader of the Congress Mallikarjun Kharge offered his condolences and criticised the central government for mismanaging the ministry of railways.[18] Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a thorough investigation would be conducted.[19][20]
Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee said that the state is helping with the rescue operations and criticised the central government for not focusing on passenger safety.[19]
See also
- List of rail accidents (2020–present)
- List of railway accidents and incidents in India
- 2023 Odisha train collision
References
- ^ "Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident Live Updates: Death toll reaches 10, six year old succumbs to injuries". The Indian Express. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "9 dead as goods train rams Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal, coach flung into air". India Today. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "9 Dead, 25 Injured After Goods Train Hits Kanchanjunga Express In Bengal". NDTV. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "9 including loco pilot dead in collision; PM announces compensation for victims". The Indian Express. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "9 dead as goods train rams Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal, coach flung into air". India Today. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Railway minister visits site". The Hindustan Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "West Bengal Train Accident: ₹10 lakh ex-gratia announced". Live Mint. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b "PM Modi offers condolences, Railway minister Vaishnaw heads to West Bengal". The Economic Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kanchanjunga Express Accident Highlights: PM Takes Stock, Rail Minister Reaches On Bike". NDTV. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "19 trains cancelled as Kanchanjunga Express accident disrupts service". The Hindustan Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Seems the goods train disregarded the signal; Prima facie human error". The Economic Times. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b "What caused Kanchenjunga Express crash? Railway board cites human error, ground info indicates signal glitch". The Times of India. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Kanchanjunga Express accident: Signal had been defective since 5.50 am, says a railway source". The Economic Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Kavach system not in place on mishap route, says Railway Board Railway sources". The Hindu. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Kanchanjunga accident: locopilot of goods train had authority to cross all signals in red". The Hindu. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Human Error Or Signal Failure: What Led To Kanchanjunga Train Accident". NDTV. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Kanchanjunga accident: Goods driver was cleared to pass red signals, say sources". India Today. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Kanchanjunga Express accident: Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi govt, says 'utter mismanagement' of railway ministry". The Economic Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b "INDIA bloc pans government over Bengal train accident: Only cares about elections". The Hindustan Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Kanchanjunga Express Accident: Railways to hold inquiry into West Bengal train mishap on June 19". The Economic Times.
External links
Media related to 2024 West Bengal train collision at Wikimedia Commons
