Tragic Train Accident Claims Lives of Schoolchildren in West Bengal

Devastating Incident in Murshidabad

Kolkata, July 17: A tragic incident occurred in Karnasubarna, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, where a train collided with a school van on Friday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including three children.

In addition, three other students and the van's driver sustained severe injuries and were rushed to a local hospital for urgent medical care. The impact of the train left the school van severely damaged.

According to local residents and witnesses, the accident took place around 7 a.m. at the time when the Nimtita-Katwa local train was approaching on the down line. Eyewitnesses reported that shortly before the collision, the Howrah-bound Nabadwip Express had just passed, and the Gobindpur rail gate was left open.

“Noticing the open gate, the school van, carrying several students, attempted to cross the tracks. At that moment, the Nimtita-Katwa local train, traveling at high speed, struck the van directly,” they recounted.

Local residents initiated rescue efforts, and soon after, police from the nearby station arrived to assist.

“Four individuals, including three children, died instantly. The condition of the other three students and the driver remains critical. They have been transferred to Baharampur Medical College and Hospital for treatment, and the death toll may increase,” stated a police officer on duty.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident was caused by the railway gateman's negligence in managing the gate. Despite being aware of the approaching train, he failed to close the gate.

“The school van driver was not at fault; he crossed the railway line without knowing that the train was approaching at high speed,” an eyewitness explained.

A team of four senior railway officials has been dispatched from Howrah to the site of the accident and is expected to provide a comprehensive report to higher authorities soon.