60 people killed and 170 injured in the West Bengal train accident at Sainthia railway station when Uttarbanga express rammed into Vanachal express. Driver of Uttarbanga express and guard of Vanachal express also killed in the incident. Most of the deaths are reported from the unreserved coach of Vanachal express.
How accident occured: Coochbehar-Sealdah Uttarbanga Express rammed into stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express near Sainthia Station in Birbhum district. Vanachal express is running late (right time is 8:55 PM) while Uttarbanga is running on time (1:38 AM). Both trains generally stop at Sainthia station for 1 minute only.
Helpline number: (033) 23503537
Who is culprit: We don’t know why two trains are in same line. Human error is the most common cause of train accidents in India.
Appreciation: Local people helped in reducing the death toll as they immediately went to accident site and rescued many people in those early morning hours. Accident site is nearly 200 kms away from Kolkata.
This is the second major train accident in 2 months in West bengal after Gnaneswari express incident in May.
