July 26 (NIA) – Seven school children were killed in northern India on Tuesday after the van they were travelling in collided with a train, the police said.
The accident took place at an unmanned railway crossing in Bhadohi district of Uttar Pradesh. Police said seven others, including the driver of the school, were grievously injured.
The victims were aged between 6 and 14 and the driver, identified as Rashid Khan, along with the six injured children were admitted to nearby hospitals.
A government statement said that according to preliminary reports, the “accident took place because of the carelessness of the driver.”
Local reports said the driver was allegedly using headphones while driving and although a man who was present at the crossing had tried to stop the van, the driver had ignored it.
India’s Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav announced an ex gratia of Indian rupees 200,000 to the families of the victims while Railways Minister, Suresh Prabhu also announced Indian rupees 200,000 to the victims’ families and Indian rupees 100,000 to those injured grievously.
