At least three people, including two school students, were killed and several others injured after a passenger train collided with a school pool car at a level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Friday morning. The tragic accident occurred near Karnasubarna railway station on the Azimganj–Katwa section when the vehicle was carrying children to school.
According to railway and police officials, the school pool car was crossing the Gobindapur level crossing when it was struck by the speeding Nimtita–Katwa local passenger train. The impact completely mangled the vehicle, killing two schoolchildren and another person. Several students, along with the driver, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the railway gate was open when the vehicle attempted to cross the tracks. Local residents accused the gateman of negligence and claimed he failed to close the gate after an earlier train had passed. The incident triggered angry protests, with villagers surrounding the railway gate and demanding strict action against those responsible.
Police and senior railway officials reached the spot soon after the accident and launched rescue operations. A 10-member railway inquiry team has been constituted to investigate the cause of the mishap. The gateman on duty has been arrested as investigators examine allegations of negligence in operating the level crossing.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed grief over the tragedy and assured that negligence would not be tolerated. He said those found responsible would face the strictest possible action after a thorough investigation. Railway authorities announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of each deceased, while the state government also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for each victim's family.
The accident disrupted train services on the Azimganj–Katwa route for several hours. Rescue teams worked to clear the damaged vehicle and restore normal rail operations, while the condition of the injured students continued to be monitored at the hospital. Authorities said the investigation would determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
