Bus–train collision in Punjab, children among 18 dead

At least 17 people were today killed and 16 injured when a private bus, carrying college students and teachers, collided with an approaching express passenger train from Ludhiana, according to a news report by 'The Hindu'.

Official sources said the dead even included five children. However, no train passenger of the Ludhiana–Ferozepur Satluj Express suffered any injury in the accident.

The casualty figures could further go up because there were about 35 students, teachers and others in the bus, and many of the injured are in a critical condition, said an official.

Moga Senior Superintendent of Police L K Yadav said the manned railway crossing was left open by the gatekeeper. "It was gatekeeper's fault as the train was approaching and the bus driver apparently could not see the train due to dense fog", he said.

Eyewitnesses were quoted as saying, the railway crossing at Nu Chur Chak village, where the accident took place, was closed for the passage of 4629 Ludhiana Ferozepur Satluj Express.

"The driver of the bus was apparently in a hurry and got the railway gateman to open the gate," they said.