Railway Board Chairman Jaya Varma said that a rescue operation has been completed wherein a goods train collided with Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal this morning. Briefing the media, she said, eight people had lost their lives in the accident including three Railways personnel. She said the Loco Pilot of Goods train who disregarded the signal died in the accident. Also, the Assistant driver of the goods train and the guard of the Kanchenjunga Express lost their life. She said the injured had been admitted to the nearby North Bengal College. She said, around 50 people got injured in the accident. She said, help desks have been established at all railway stations along Agartala- Sealdah route. 

Chairman Jaya Verma said, as per the initial investigation, it seems like the driver of the goods train disregarded the signal. She said the rescue operation started soon after the accident at 8:55 AM. She assured that safety is the first priority of Railways and Organization is doing everything to ensure rail operation is safe. She said, prima facie it suggests that it is a human error but more details will come after the enquiry.