Train rams into school van, kills 13
Prime minister conveys deep pain over incident, orders Railways and state government to act
At least 13 students aged under 10 years were killed when a speeding train rammed into their school van at an ungated rail crossing in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The locomotive halted only after dragging the mangled vehicle for some 100 metres.
At least four students and the driver of the van, who Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath alleged had earphones on and was listening to music while driving, were among the injured, doctors and officials said.
Two of them were in critical condition. The incident took place around 7.10am at the Dudhi Behpurva rail gate when the children were headed to a Divine Public School and were hit by the Gorakhpur-Siwan Passenger at the Dudhi Behpurva crossing, 100km from Gorakhpur.
President’s condolences
The injured were rushed to Pandrauna Hospital, about 30 kilometres away. Indian Railways spokesperson Ved Prakash said the children died on the spot.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of young lives.
“Shocked to learn about the horrific accident ... Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families and with those injured,” the President tweeted.
Modi conveyed his deep pain over the incident and asked the Railways and Uttar Pradesh government to take appropriate action in the matter.
Railway Board Chairman Ashwahi Lohani yesterday said the Railways were committed to “eliminate ungated level crossings” but said people needed to be careful while crossing the unmanned level crossings.
“Basically, people have to be careful. There is no substitute for that. We cannot take any step that is foolproof.”
A North Eastern Railway official said at least 25 people, mostly children below the age of 10 years, were in the van.