School Van Hit by Train in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, Three Killed and Several Students Critically Injured
A tragic railway accident in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district claimed three lives, including two school students, after a local passenger train collided with a school van at an unmanned or inadequately protected level crossing on the Azimganj–Katwa railway section. The accident occurred between Karnasubarna railway station and the Gobindapur rail gate on Friday morning, sending shockwaves across the district.
According to preliminary reports, the school van was carrying children to school when it attempted to cross the railway track. A local passenger train struck the vehicle with considerable force, leaving the van severely damaged. Two schoolchildren and a local resident lost their lives at the scene, while four other students sustained critical injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Railway officials, local police, and emergency response teams reached the accident site soon after the collision. Rescue personnel worked to evacuate the injured from the mangled vehicle, while railway authorities temporarily regulated train movement on the affected section to facilitate relief operations. The injured children remain under intensive medical care, and their condition is being closely monitored by doctors.
The incident has once again highlighted persistent concerns over railway crossing safety in many parts of India. Local residents alleged that the crossing lacked adequate safety infrastructure, raising questions about whether additional warning systems, barriers, or improved traffic management could have prevented the tragedy. Railway authorities have begun an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events, including whether human error, visibility issues, or safety protocol failures contributed to the collision.
The accident has triggered widespread grief in Murshidabad, with parents, local communities, and public representatives expressing condolences to the bereaved families and demanding stronger safety measures at railway crossings, particularly those frequently used by school vehicles. The tragedy has renewed calls for the elimination of vulnerable level crossings through the construction of road overbridges, underpasses, and fully automated gate systems.
Officials from Indian Railways are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into the accident, while the West Bengal administration has assured that all necessary medical assistance will be provided to the injured students. Compensation for the victims’ families and further safety reviews of railway crossings in the region are also expected to be announced following the completion of the preliminary investigation.
As rescue efforts conclude and investigators examine the circumstances leading to the collision, the Murshidabad tragedy serves as another stark reminder of the urgent need to strengthen railway crossing safety across the country. With thousands of trains operating daily and millions relying on rail transport, experts believe that sustained investment in modern safety infrastructure will be essential to preventing similar accidents in the future.
