Train Accident in Kolkata-Train Collision-West Bengal Train Accident-Vananchal Express collision with Uttar Bangla Express-Birbhum District

At least 100 people were feared killed in a train accident in West Bengal’s Birbhum district in India in the early hours of Monday, officials and rescue workers said. Mamta Banerjee is on her way to Kolkata from Delhi

Train accident occurred when two trains Uttar Banga Express and Vananchal Express collided as they came on the same track at Sainthia station. A high number of casualties is feared as a stationary Vananchal Express was hit from behind by the Uttar Banga Express at Sainthia of Birbhum district in India’s eastern state of West Bengal early today.

Officials said shortly after 2 am Down Uttar Banga nExpress hurtled into Down Vananchal Express leaving platform number 4 of Sainthia station, railway officials said.

TV footage showed people taken out of the twisted bodies of the trains.

Thirty-five bodies were counted, eye witnesses said while local people who engaged in rescue work told a Bengali TV channel that the dead could be in hundreds.

Two bogies of Vananchal Express hit the railway overbridge under the impact of the collision.

The driver of Uttar Banga Express and the guard of Vananchal Express were killed in the accident. The injured were taken to the Siuri hospital in the district.

Relief trains reached the accident spot, officials said.

The helpline numbers are 033- 23503535 (Kolkata) and 0651-2600263 (Ranchi).

Rescue operation is on process alongwith railways sais they wanted to make route clear as early as possible.