Five killed as train hits school van, bicycle at Murshidabad level crossing; gateman arrested

At least five people were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Friday morning after a train hit a school van and a bicycle at a level crossing near Karnasubarna station. One person, the gateman, has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The deceased include schoolchildren travelling in the van and an elderly cyclist.

"The death toll has touched five. The Railway Ministry has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation, while the West Bengal government has announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased," state minister and Murshidabad MLA Gourishankar Ghosh said.


Two children and the elderly cyclist died on the spot. Three children and the driver of the Tata Sumo were admitted to the ICU at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. The remaining injured children are also undergoing treatment at the hospital. The death toll later rose to five.

"The incident occurred at around 6.41 am at Level Crossing Gate No. 24A/2 in the Katwa-Azimganj section when Train No. 53054 Nimtita-Katwa Passenger collided with a Tata Sumo school van carrying children to Royal Academy School and a bicycle. The level crossing had been closed for the passage of trains in both directions. After Train No. 13431 passed in the up direction, the gate was opened and the school van entered the crossing, where it was struck by the approaching Nimtita-Katwa Passenger train," an official statement said.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic train accident in Murshidabad this morning. My heart goes out to the families, especially parents of the young students who lost their lives. There are no words to ease such profound pain and the entire State stands with the bereaved families during this dark hour. I have directed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured and the affected families," Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X.

The Chief Minister said, "The preliminary probe revealed that the gateman was responsible. I have directed the police to check whether he was in an inebriated state."

"Minister Gouri Sankar Ghosh has already visited the hospital and is monitoring the situation. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have been at the site since morning, personally supervising the operations. We are ensuring that the best medical care is provided to those undergoing treatment," he said.

"Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee is personally ensuring that the injured receive the best possible treatment at the Medical College. Negligence will not be tolerated. The Railway gateman has already been arrested by the state police. A thorough investigation into the circumstances of this incident will be conducted and I assure the people of West Bengal that the strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible," he added.

Shibram Majhi, CPRO, Howrah Division, said a high-level team has reached Murshidabad and treatment of the injured is being closely monitored.

Senior railway officials, RPF personnel, GRP and the local civil administration have reached the site. Additional RPF personnel have been rushed to assist with rescue and crowd management, while district police are also present. Efforts are underway to clear the site and restore normalcy. Railway authorities have initiated an inquiry into the incident, officials said.

"The person responsible for the incident must receive exemplary punishment," Ghosh said.