Loco Pilot, Assistant Among 3 Railway Staffers Killed In Bengal Collision

Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha said the priority is to get the best possible medical aid for the injured.

Three railway staff members were among eight people killed when a goods train rear-ended the Silchar-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express at 8.55 am today, railway officials have said.

The goods train, which reportedly jumped a signal, collided with the passenger train on the same track around 8.55 am. Three coaches of the express train derailed, with one of them climbing onto the locomotive of the goods rake because of the impact of the collision. 

At least five passengers and three railway staffers - the locomotive pilot and assistant locomotive pilot of the goods rake and the guard in the express train - were killed and nearly 50 others were injured. Officials said the casualties could have been much higher but for the fact that the last two coaches of the express train were the guard coach and the cargo van.