Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the loss of lives who were killed in a tragic train accident in West Bengal.

"I am deeply saddened to hear about a fatal train accident in Darjeeling. I pray for peace for the departed souls and speedy recovery for the injured persons. May Lord Jagannath grant infinite patience and courage to families during this difficult time," Majhi posted on the X expressing concern over the accident.

BJD supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his grief over the deaths of train passengers.

As many as eight persons were killed after two compartments of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express, which had started from Agartala, were derailed after being hit by a goods train between New Jalpaiguri and Rangapani railway stations in West Bengal on Monday.

The toll may increase as many passengers were trapped inside the train. The rescue operation is underway to save the victims.

According to the Additional Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling district, Abhishek Roy, the deceased persons include a loco pilot of the goods train that had hit the Kanchanjungha Express.

He did not rule out the possibility of the death figure increasing as the rescue operations continued. So far the number of injured was over 30.