New Delhi | Seven passengers and two railway staffers were killed and 41 more injured in the Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday, according to figures released by the railway ministry.

In a statement, the ministry said nine people suffered grievous injuries and 32 simple or minor injuries.

The "Up line" has been cleared and train operations have started, it said and added that "the 'Down line' will also be cleared shortly".

The Kanchanjunga express, going to Sealdah in West Bengal from Agartala in Tripura, was on the "Down line" and a goods train rammed into it from behind near the New Jalpaiguri station, around 600 km from Kolkata.

According to initial ground reports based on the statements of the local police, 15 people were said to have lost their lives in the accident. However, the ministry clarified that the number of deaths is nine, so far.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the accident site in the afternoon, the ministry said.