Train crashes into college bus in northern India, killing 7

USPA News - A passenger train crashed into a school bus in northern India on Wednesday afternoon, killing seven students and injuring a dozen more, railway officials said on Thursday. The exact cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The accident happened at around 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday when the bus attempted to cross cross railway tracks between Pachrukhi and Siwan in the northern state of Bihar. The accident took place at a manned level crossing, indicating the bus driver may have ignored them. A spokesperson for India`s Ministry of Railways said seven students were killed while 12 others were injured. The bus belonged to the DAV engineering college near the locality of Chap Dhala while the train was identified as number 13019, the Howrah-Kathgodam Express. The powerful impact caused the engine of the train to derail, but there were no reports of casualties among those on board the train. The collision immediately triggered violent protests from college students who began hurling stones against the train. The protesters also set several empty train wagons on fire after the passengers fled. Railways Minister C. P. Joshi expressed his condolences over the loss of life, describing the accident as unfortunate and tragic. He immediately announced an ex-gratia for the families of those killed and the students were injured, and the ministry said it will bear all the costs of medical treatment for the victims. "The Railway Minister has given instructions to Railway officials for the speedy relief and rescue operation and for undertaking effective medical treatment to the injured passengers," the ministry spokesperson said, adding that senior officials from both the ministry and North-Eastern Railways had gone to the scene.