10 school children killed van-train collision in UP

Lucknow, July 25: At least 10 children were killed in Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi district on Monday morning as their van was hit by a passenger train at an unmanned crossing, police said.

Nine children were admitted to a nearby medical facility for treatment where condition of two is said to be serious.

The victims included the van driver. The vehicle belonged to the Tender Heart school.

The incident took place at an unmanned crossing at Kairmau on the Varanasi-Allahabad rail section, an official told IANS.

In its preliminary probe, railway officials have found that despite being alerted by the 'gang man' that a train was on way, the driver overlooked it and drove ahead.

There were a total of 19 children in the van.

Prabhu announces Rs 2 lakh for kin of train mishap victims

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today expressed "profound grief" over the death of ten children in a mishap at an unmanned railway crossing in Uttar Pradesh and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased.

Prabhu also announced the ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh for those seriously injured and Rs 20,000 for those who sustained minor injury.

The minibus of Tenderheart School in Ghosiya township, carrying students of six villages in the age group of six to 14 years, was hit by Varanasi-Allahabad passenger train at gate number 26 between Katka and Madhosingh Railway stations, police said.

According to a railway spokesperson, senior railway officials visited the accident spot and the hospital where injured have been admitted. He said railway doctors were assisting in treating the injured.

Those suffering serious injuries have been referred to BHU hospital in Varanasi.

IANS