8 schoolchildren killed, 14 hurt after van collides with train in UP

New Delhi: Eight schoolchildren were killed after their van collided with a train at unmanned crossing in Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi.

According to NDTV, the incident occurred when the van of a private school, carrying about 19 children, was passing through the unmanned crossing in Bhadohi district.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu expressed "profound grief" over the death of children and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased.

Eight children were killed and 14 others injured when the mini-bus was hit by a train at an unmanned railway crossing in Auraiye in Uttar Pradesh on Monday morning.

Prabhu also announced the ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh for those seriously injured and Rs 20,000 for those who sustained minor injury.

The minibus of Tenderheart School in Ghosiya township, carrying students of six villages in the age group of six to 14 years, was hit by Varanasi-Allahabad passenger train at gate number 26 between Katka and Madhosingh Railway stations, police said.

According to a railway spokesperson, senior railway officials visited the accident spot and the hospital where injured have been admitted.

He said railway doctors were assisting in treating the injured. Those suffering serious injuries have been referred to BHU hospital in Varanasi.