Siliguri, June 17 (HBTV): Eight people were killed and 25 passengers were injured after the Kanchanjungha Express travelling to Kolkata from Assam's Silchar collided with a goods train in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The goods train rammed the passenger express from behind near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri.

The impact of the collision derailed two coaches of the passenger train.

The train was coming from Agartala and was heading to Sealdah station in Kolkata when the accident occured around 8:30am.

The collision took place nearly 11km from New Jalpaiguri station in north Bengal, one of the largest and busiest stations in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone in eastern and northeastern India.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X "Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated,".

Sources said at least two bogies of the Kanchanjunga Express were derailed after the collision. This is the peak tourist season, and thousands of tourists visit hills stations in north Bengal and Sikkim.

“Rescue operations have started and injured passengers were being shifted to the hospital,” said a railway official posted in NJP.