4 students among 5 dead as train hits school van

At least five people, including four children died Friday morning when a train hit a school van and a bicycle at a level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.

The railway ministry has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to the families of each of the deceased, state minister Gourishankar Ghosh said. The Bengal government will pay ₹5 lakh each, he said.

According to a government statement, the Nimtita-Katwa passenger train hit the school van and bicycle at the level crossing near the Karnasubarna station. The crossing was closed for the passage of trains in both directions. But it was opened after one train passed and the school van entered the crossing, it said.


The railway gateman has been arrested by the state police, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari wrote on X, assuring a "thorough investigation" and all assistance to the injured and the affected families.

While the four children and an elderly cyclist died, other children and the van driver were admitted to the ICU at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. Other injured children are also undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Railway authorities have initiated an inquiry into the incident, people in the know said.