A tragic accident unfolded near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district on Tuesday morning when a school van collided with a passenger train near Semmanguppam. The van, carrying schoolchildren, was crossing a railway track that runs through a road, ABP Nadu reported.
According to early reports, the school van driver failed to notice the oncoming train while driving across the tracks. The van was hit by a speeding passenger train, which was en route from Cuddalore to Mayiladuthurai around 7 AM. Eyewitnesses say the van was dragged and flung several feet away due to the impact, leaving it completely mangled.
So far, two children have been confirmed dead, and several others are critically injured. The van, said to be carrying five students, was severely damaged in the collision. The injured children were rushed to the Cuddalore Government Hospital, where they are undergoing emergency treatment.
Public Outrage Over Safety Lapses
The incident has sparked anger among local residents, who blame the railway authorities for negligence. They allege that the railway gatekeeper at the unmanned crossing was asleep and failed to close the gate in time. Parents, police officials, and locals gathered at the accident site soon after the crash.
Investigation Underway
Police have begun an investigation into the incident, and railway officials are expected to conduct an inquiry into the safety lapse. The community remains in mourning, as the possibility of more deaths looms.
This horrific incident has once again raised concerns about the dangers of unmanned level crossings and the urgent need for enhanced railway safety protocols across India.
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