7 killed as Rajdhani rams autorickshaw

KATIHAR: At least seven persons were on Saturday killed when Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express rammed into an autorickshaw carrying them at an unmanned level crossing in Katihar district, a senior railway official said.

The train running at a speed between 90 and 100 kmph hit the autorickshaw as the auto driver tried to cross the tracks at Khaira under Dandakhora police station, Divisional Commercial Manager, North Frontier Railway (Katihar), A K Sinha said.

Bodies of the victims, all passengers of the autorickshaw, lay scattered on both sides of the tracks as the train went ahead and stopped only at Katihar railway station, he said.

The NF Railway authorities and civil authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident.