At least 5 killed in rail accident in India’s West Bengal

At least five people died and 45 were injured on Thursday when a passenger train derailed in the Indian state of West Bengal.

12 coaches of a passenger train derailed between the New Domohani and New Maynaguri railway stations in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, news agency PTI reported.

Train no. 15633UP, which was headed from Bikaner to Guwahati, derailed near Domohani town in Maynaguri area of Jalpaiguri, Indian news agency ANI reported.

The accident occurred around 5:00pm, after which rescue trains from New Jalpaiguri and New Alipurduar rushed to the spot.

“We felt a sudden shock. We were all rocking violently and luggage kept on upper berths tumbled all around,” a passenger told news agency PTI.

Distressing videos show multiple passengers trapped in the debris after the accident. Gas cutters were being used to cut open the coaches, NDTV reported.

At least 40 people were rescued. 24 of them were sent to Jalpaiguri district hospital and 16 were sent to Moynaguri government hospital.

About 10 people who were in critical condition were to be shifted to the North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri, NDTV reported, citing New Frontier Railway sources.

A High-level Commissioner Railway Safety inquiry has been ordered in the accident, NDTV added.

Indian PM Narendra Modi mentioned in a tweet that he spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation.

“My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,” the tweet added.