At least six dead, over 50 injured in Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailment in Bengal

The death toll in the incident is likely to rise as rescue operations are underway at the scene, senior officials in Bengal's Jalpaiguri said.

Twelve coaches of the Guwahati-Bikaner Express train derailed near the Maynaguri town of Jalpaiguri district around 5PM.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will visit the accident site tonight, he has informed in a tweet.

Several visuals showed passengers being rescued from the debris of multiple coaches which were derailed.

At least 40 people have been rescued from the derailed coaches, of whom 24 were sent to Jalpaiguri district hospital and 16 were sent to Moynaguri government hospital.

About 10 people are critical and will be shifted to the North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri, New Frontier Railway sources informed the media.

Many passengers are still feared trapped inside the derailed coaches. Gas cutters are being used to cut open the mangled coaches, said reports.

Locals and co-passengers were helping in the rescue operation.

Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke to Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation.

"Spoke to Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly," PM Modi's tweet read.

A high-level Commissioner Railway Safety inquiry has been ordered in the accident.

Vaishnaw said he is personally monitoring the situation for swift rescue operations.

"In an unfortunate accident, 12 Coaches of Bikaner - Guwahati Exp. derailed near New Maynaguri (West Bengal) this evening. Personally monitoring the situation for swift rescue operations," he wrote in his tweet.

PM Modi also inquired about the situation from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the middle of the COVID review meeting with CMs.

A compensation has been announced as Rs. 5 lakh for death, Rs. 1 lakh for grievous injury, and Rs. 25,000 for "simple injuries".

Earlier in the evening, Mamata Banerjee informed that senior officers of the state government are supervising the rescue and relief operations.

"Deeply concerned to hear about the tragic accident of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express in Maynaguri. Senior Officers of the State Government, DM/SP/IG North Bengal are supervising rescue and relief operations. Those injured will receive medical attention, as early as possible," her tweet read.

"Those injured will receive medical attention, as early as possible," she added.

The train had left Bikaner junction on Wednesday and was supposed to reach Guwahati this evening.

Following are the railway helpline numbers: 03612731622, 03612731623