7 killed in train-bus collision, protesters try to torch train

Seven persons were on Wednesday killed and over 30 injured when a train rammed into an engineering college bus at a manned level crossing in Bihar's Siwan district, sparking protests by students who tried to torch the train.

The incident occurred when Howrah-Kathgodam Bagh Express hit a bus belonging to the DAV engineering college near Chap Dhala locality as it was trying to cross the track at about 3 pm. Under the impact, the engine of the train derailed, Superintendent of Police Nitash Gudia said.

Railway have ordered an inquiry by Commissioner Railway Safety K Bajpayee into the incident at the manned level crossing, a railway spokesperson said in Delhi.

Railway officials said seven people have died in the accident and over 30 people have sustained injuries.

While four occupants of the bus died on the spot, three others succumbed to injuries in Sadar hospital where all the injured were admitted, officials said, that the six of the seven dead have been identified.

The deceased included two women.

Critically injured persons were sent to the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

The incident sparked protest by engineering college students who pelted stones at the train and tried to set it afire but police prevented them, official sources said.

Train passengers ran helter and skelter to escape the ire of protesters who dispersed after police used force.

Expressing shock over the loss of lives, Railway Minister CP Joshi announced an ex-gratia of Rs5 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased. He announced Rs1 lakh each for the seriously injured and Rs25,000 to those who suffered minor injuries.

Train service between Chapra-Gorakhpur section of Varanasi division under the North-Eastern Railway (NER) was disrupted as the Bagh Express got struck on the track following the collision, railway spokesman Ashok Kumar said.

He said that the railway authorities had demanded additional security for the train and its passengers in view of protest by the students.

Trains like Shaheed Express UP/DN 4674/4674, Lichchvi Express 4006 and Janseva Express 5209 have been diverted throught different routes on way to their respective destinations, Kumar said.

NER has set up help line (land and mobile phone) numbers at Chapra - 9771443983, Siwan - 9431451396, Deoria (UP) - 7309897307 and Varanasi - 0542-2226778 for the benefit of the passengers and their relatives.

Arrangements for food and drinking water were being made for the passengers, he said.

Fire tenders were pressed into service, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Ravindra Kumar said.

The passengers of Bagh Express have been evacuated and lodged at various accomodation, he said.

Senior police officials including the DIG Saran range Alok Kumar were camping on the spot to supervise resuce operations, Kumar said.

The police lathicharged the mob and dispersed them, the ADG said.