In a tragic accident on Friday morning, four students lost their lives after a passenger train collided with a school van at a level crossing between Karnasubarna and Gobindapur stations in Murshidabad district. A middle-aged cyclist also died in the incident, while at least six other children sustained critical injuries and are currently undergoing treatment. According to railway sources, the Nimtita–Katwa Passenger train struck the van as it attempted to cross the tracks. The collision triggered immediate outrage among locals, who alleged negligence on the part of railway staff, particularly questioning the conduct of the gateman on duty.
Eastern Railway responded swiftly after receiving reports of the accident. The gateman and the supervisor of the concerned level crossing were suspended even before the commencement of a formal inquiry. A 10-member high-level investigation team, led by the Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), has been dispatched to the site. Additionally, a special medical team has been deployed to assist the injured.
Railway officials stated that preliminary findings indicate no fault in the signaling system, confirming that the train was operating as per prescribed signals. As a result, the focus of the investigation has shifted to the manual operation of the level crossing and the role of on-duty personnel.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the gate had been opened after an ‘Up’ train passed, prompting vehicles, including the school van, to begin crossing. Moments later, the Nimtita–Katwa Passenger train approached. Allegedly, the gateman was absent at that crucial time. Though the gate was lowered at the last moment, the van and a cyclist were already trapped on the tracks, leading to the fatal collision.
Police later apprehended the gateman, who reportedly appeared semi-conscious and unable to respond coherently to questions from locals. He is currently in custody as investigations continue.
Railway authorities emphasised that the crossing is a manually operated interlocking system, making human responsibility a critical factor. A senior official reiterated a “zero-tolerance” stance on such lapses, assuring that accountability will be fixed after a comprehensive inquiry.
Political leaders have also reacted strongly to the incident. BJP MLA Subrata Maitra termed the accident deeply tragic and called for a thorough investigation. Senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury raised concerns over railway safety and demanded stricter oversight.
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