The van was completely damaged due to the impact.
- Two students died and six were injured in a school van-train collision in Tamil Nadu
- The accident occurred at a non-interlocked manned gate crossing between Cuddalore and Alappakkam
- The van was severely damaged after colliding with the Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger train
Two students were killed and six others injured after a school van carrying them was hit by a train at a railway-level crossing in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Tuesday.
The van collided with a Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger train around 7:45 am at a "non-interlocked manned gate" crossing between Cuddalore and Alappakkam, officials said.
The van was completely damaged due to the impact.
A gatekeeper has been suspended.
The railway said that a preliminary investigation has revealed that while the gatekeeper proceeded to close the gate, the van driver insisted on allowing the vehicle to cross the gate, which "should not have been permitted".
“A committee of officers from the safety, operation, and engineering branch is investigating the incident,” it said in a statement.
A compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the victims, while students who sustained critical injuries will receive Rs 2.5 lakh.
The incident has triggered outrage among locals and renewed calls for stringent safety checks at railway crossings, especially those used by school vehicles.
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