Train Rams School Van in Murshidabad, Kills Three

Synopsis

A passenger train on Friday morning crashed into a school van at Karnasubarna railway crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district killing three, including two young students. A few and injured children were admitted at Murshidabad Medical College Hospital. There were allegations from witnesses that the crossing gate was re-opened too soon between trains. Authorities said they were ordering an investigation of the level-crossing procedure as railways offered compensation to victims' families.

Three dead as train crushes school van in Bengal

On a quiet morning in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, at least three people were killed and several injured after a passenger train collided with a van carrying school children.

What Happened at Karnasubarna Crossing

The accident happened at a railway level crossing in Berhampore area between Karnasubarna and Gobindapur railway stations. The van was crossing the tracks at around 7:00 AM when it was hit with a significant blow causing the van to spin from the impact.

The officials said the train involved was the Nimtita-Katwa passenger train. Three students lost their lives on the spot and several other injured children were taken up to Murshidabad Medical College Hospital. Two of the three deaths were ruled school students.

Sources at the hospital said the health of some of the children who were injured is still "severe" and they are worried the number of casualties might increase.

Different versions of the story for the Crossing Gate

The details of what happened just before the accident have become an issue. Witnesses said the crossing gate was open when the van was trying to cross, saying it had been opened earlier by a passing train before the next one came from the other direction.

One bystander theorized that the gate had not been closed when one train came through a track, but had not been reclosed in time to stop the second passenger train, which was approaching on an adjacent track, from entering the crossing. Railway officials have not confirmed these claims.

The official response will be followed by official compensation

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and BJP West Bengal president Roy Chakwera expressed condolences on the accident and said that a thorough probe be done into the accident and the reasons behind it. He said that any loss of life was tragic but the deaths of children were even more heart breaking and a proper inquiry should be done and he felt the Railways would be carrying out a separate investigation.

The Railways has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 2.5 lakh to the injured.

A Recurring Tragedy at India's Level Crossings

The accident on Friday comes after, and it's not the first, similar incidents involving school buses crossing railway tracks have occurred in the country in recent times, as is evident from a number of incidents at level-crossings in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar and Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore in recent years, where gaps in supervision of level crossings and driver care have been highlighted.

The total number of injured and their condition have not yet been revealed. The formal identification of the deceased is expected after notification to the families.