16 killed, 3 injured as train rams into van in UP

Sixteen people were on Tuesday killed and three others seriously injured when the Mathura-Kasganj Express rammed into an overcrowded jeep at an unmanned railway crossing here.

The accident took place at the unmanned railway crossing near Maidu Railway Station at 7:19 am in the district, Superintendent of Police Chandra Prakash said.

The jeep was carrying about 20 passengers, all coming from Sathia village in Sasni tehsil.

Prakash said that last night one Munne Khan (40) committed suicide in Sathiya village and his family members along with other villagers were going to Hathras for the post mortem.

Railway Minister Mukul Roy has announced an exgratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of those killed in the mishap and Rs 15,000 to the injured. 

A railway spokesperson said in New Delhi that though the mishap took place due to the fault of the road users, the minister has announced the ex-gratia as a "special gesture of compassion and sympathy for the victims".

Railway sources in Delhi said the mishap took place when the jeep tried to cross the track even as the train was approaching.

There are 14,853 unmanned railway crossings in the country.

Those killed in the accident have been identified as Mukhtayar Khan, Budu Khan, his brother Mubarak Khan and wife Haseena, Shamshad Khan, Balbeer Singh, Munne Khan, Aslam, Bilkis Bano, Achchan Khan and his brother Gaffar Khan, Honey, Riyazuddin, Rifazat and Major Khan.