Train hits school van in Murshidabad: 3 children among 4 killed
Synopsis
A school van carrying children crossed an open railway gate in Murshidabad's Karnasubarna and was struck by the Nimtita-Katwa local at high speed, killing three students and one other person on the spot. Initial findings implicate the railway gateman, who reportedly kept the crossing open despite knowing the train was approaching — raising urgent questions about level-crossing safety on rural branch lines.
Key Takeaways
Four people killed — including three schoolchildren — when a train struck a school van at Karnasubarna , Murshidabad , on 17 July at around 7 am IST .
The Nimtita-Katwa local train hit the van after the Gobindpur rail gate was left open, allegedly by the railway gateman.
Three students and the school van driver are hospitalised in critical condition at Baharampur Medical College and Hospital ; death toll may rise.
Initial investigation cites gateman negligence — he reportedly kept the gate open despite knowing the train was approaching.
A four-member railway inspection team has been dispatched from Howrah to submit a report to higher authorities.
Four people, including three schoolchildren, were killed on Friday, 17 July when the Nimtita-Katwa local train struck a school van at an unmanned-style crossing near Karnasubarna in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, around 7 am IST. Three more students and the school van's driver remain in critical condition, and authorities have not ruled out a further rise in the death toll.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to eyewitnesses, the Howrah-bound Nabadwip Express had just cleared the Gobindpur rail gate along the up line when the gate remained open. Seeing no barrier down, the school van — carrying several children — began crossing the tracks. At that moment, the Nimtita-Katwa local came at high speed along the down line and struck the vehicle directly, leaving it completely mangled.
'Seeing the gate open, the school van carrying several school students started crossing the railway line. At that moment, the Nimtita-Katwa local train came at high speed and directly hit the school van,' an eyewitness told reporters.
Gateman's Negligence Cited in Initial Probe
Initial investigation by local police points to the railway gateman as the primary cause. According to investigators, the gateman had prior information that the Nimtita-Katwa local was approaching at speed along the down line, yet kept the gate open. Eyewitnesses corroborated that the school van's driver appeared unaware of the oncoming train. 'The driver of the school van was not at fault. He was passing the railway line totally unaware that the train was coming at high speed along the down line,' one eyewitness said.
Rescue and Medical Response
Local residents launched the first rescue effort before police arrived. A contingent from the local police station subsequently joined operations. The four injured — three students and the driver — were shifted to Baharampur Medical College and Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment in critical condition.
'Four, including three school-kids, died on the spot. The condition of three other kids and the driver of the school van is critical... The possibility of the rise of the death toll cannot be ruled out,' an on-duty police officer said.
Railway Department Dispatches Inspection Team
A four-member senior inspection team from the railway department has been dispatched from Howrah to the accident site. The team is expected to submit a detailed report to higher authorities. This incident adds to a pattern of level-crossing tragedies in rural Bengal, where gate management lapses have repeatedly resulted in fatalities. Rail safety advocates have long flagged undermanned crossings on rural branch lines as a systemic risk.
What Happens Next
The railway department's report will likely determine whether criminal proceedings are initiated against the gateman. Families of the victims and the broader Murshidabad community are expected to demand accountability from both the railway administration and local authorities. The condition of the hospitalised children will be closely watched in the coming hours.
Point of View
Not a momentary lapse. West Bengal has seen multiple such fatalities at ungated or poorly managed crossings over the years, yet enforcement of gate-management protocols remains inconsistent. The railway department's inspection report will be closely watched: if it leads only to a departmental inquiry rather than structural safety upgrades, this incident risks becoming another statistic rather than a catalyst for reform.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Murshidabad train-van accident on 17 July?
The Nimtita-Katwa local train struck a school van at the Gobindpur rail crossing near Karnasubarna in Murshidabad, West Bengal, at around 7 am on 17 July. Four people, including three schoolchildren, died on the spot, and three more students along with the driver were critically injured.
What caused the accident at Karnasubarna?
Initial investigation points to the railway gateman's negligence as the primary cause. According to investigators, the gateman kept the Gobindpur rail gate open despite having information that the Nimtita-Katwa local was approaching at high speed along the down line.
Where are the injured being treated?
The three critically injured students and the school van driver have been admitted to Baharampur Medical College and Hospital in Murshidabad. Authorities have stated that the possibility of the death toll rising cannot be ruled out.
What action has the railway department taken?
A four-member senior inspection team has been dispatched from Howrah to the accident site. The team is expected to submit a detailed report to railway authorities, which may inform whether disciplinary or criminal action is taken against the gateman.
Is the school van driver being held responsible?
No. Eyewitnesses told reporters that the driver was unaware of the approaching train and crossed the tracks in good faith after seeing the gate open. Initial findings place responsibility on the railway gateman, not the driver.
