Kushinagar accident: 'It appears to be mistake of van driver', says Yogi

Railways spokesperson said that the children were killed on the spot when Thawe-Kapatanganj passenger train (55075) crashed into the van at an unmanned crossing gate at Behpurva.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday (April 26) visited Kushinagar where 13 children were killed after a train rammed into a school bus. The Chief Minister also visited the hospital to meet the injures students and family members of the victims.

"Spoke to Railway minister. Prima facie appears to be mistake of van driver, he had earphones on and there are questions over his age too. There are rules in place, inquiry will be conducted as to why they were not followed. Strict action will be taken," Adityanath told media.

The CM told ANI that four children and the van driver are critically injured. He said that the injured have been admitted to the BRD hospital.

Meanwhile, Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani said that the railways are trying to eliminate all unmanned railway crossings.

"According to latest reports, 13 school students have died in a collision between a school van and train in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar," he said.

"Basically, people have to be careful while crossing rail tracks, there is no substitute for that. We can't take any step that is full proof against negligence," he added.

A school bus was hit by a train at an unmanned railway crossing in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar, leaving at least 13 children dead on Thursday morning. As per the reports, the students were killed on the spot after the train rammed into the school bus. The school bus belonged to Divine Public School.

Railways spokesperson said that the children were killed on the spot when Thawe-Kapatanganj passenger train (55075) crashed into the van at an unmanned crossing gate at Behpurva. There were at least 25 people, including children in the van, most of whom were children below the age of 10 years, the official said. The train was on way to Gorakhpur from Siwan.

Chief Minister Adityanath has expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that he was "extremely saddened" to hear about the incident. "UP government and railway department will take appropriate action," he added.