Bhubaneswar, June 17: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the train accident near New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal on Monday.

The Minister also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured persons in the mishap.

At least 15 people were killed and around 60 others injured so far, after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal this morning.

"The loss of life in the railway accident in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal is saddening. My condolences are with all those affected in this accident. May God give speedy recovery to the injured," Pradhan said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

न्यू जलपाईगुड़ी, पश्चिम बंगाल में हुई रेल दुर्घटना में हुई जान हानि दुःखद है। मेरी संवेदनाएं इस हादसे में प्रभावित सभी लोगों के साथ है। ईश्वर घायलों को शीघ्र स्वस्थ्य करें।
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 17, 2024

Rescue operations, conducted jointly by teams from the state government and the Indian Railways, have commenced between New Jalpaiguri and Rangapani stations.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims - Rs 10 lakhs in case of death and Rs 2.5 lakhs towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers also extended their condolences and prayers to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery.

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