India: Train collision in Phansidewa area of the Darjeeling district, June 17 /update 1

A freight train and a passenger train collided in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district, West Bengal state, at approximately 08:30 June 17. At least 15 people were killed and 60 injured. The derailed passenger train was the 13174 Kanchenjunga Express, traveling from Agartala to Sealdah. The incident occurred near Rangapani and Nijbari stations. Authorities announced that the three rear compartments of the passenger train were derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the freight train. Emergency response and investigations are continuing; the cause of the collision is not immediately clear. Officials will likely continue to update casualty figures in the coming hours.

Heightened security and localized ground transport disruptions are certain over the coming hours as authorities continue with emergency response and investigations. Rail disruptions are likely over the coming days due to clearance and recovery operations; lingering disruptions along the Eastern Railway zone, which links the north-eastern states of Assam and Tripura with West Bengal, are possible as officials reroute trains to circumvent the affected area.

The impacted location in Phansidewa is around 46 km (29 miles) south-southeast of Darjeeling city.