Photo Credit: Reuters
A fatal train crash in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal has claimed the lives of 8 Indian citizens and injuring 60 others.
The accident occurred when a goods train hit a stationary passenger train, the Kanchenjungha Express, in the New Jalpaiguri area on Monday morning. Dramatic visuals from the accident site showed one wagon of the express train suspended in the air.
Authorities say "human error" may have led to the crash and a detailed investigation will be held.
Officials said ambulances and disaster teams were sent to the site for rescue efforts soon after the accident.
State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the accident and said action was being taken on "war footing".
The dead include the driver and the assistant driver of the goods train and the guard of Kanchenjungha Express.
"Rescue operations have been completed," Jaya Varma Sinha, CEO of the Railway Board, told a press conference.
Ms Sinha said human error seemed to be the likely cause of the accident. "As per initial investigation, it seems that the driver of the goods train disregarded the signal."
A rescue official told the Times of India they avoided using gas cutters during the relief efforts because it could endanger the lives of those trapped in the train. He said relief efforts were also slowed by heavy rain in the area.
Federal Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said relief teams had worked in close coordination with railway officials to carry out rescue operations.
The minister said he was travelling to the accident site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "saddening" and said he had spoken to officials about the rescue efforts.
He announced a compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,394, £1,890) for the families of the dead and 50,000 rupees for each of the injured passengers.
Lewis Musonye
