Cuddalore, July 9 – In a devastating accident in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district, three school children lost their lives and at least 10 others were injured when a school bus was hit by a train at an unmanned level crossing in Sembankuppam on Tuesday morning.
Incident details
The bus was reportedly attempting to cross the tracks when it was struck by an express train travelling from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai. The collision occurred at an unmanned railway crossing, raising serious concerns about safety lapses. The bus was carrying students to school at the time.
While initial reports claimed two fatalities, district authorities later confirmed that three students had succumbed to their injuries. At least ten others, including students and possibly staff, sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Negligence suspected
Eyewitness accounts suggest gatekeeper negligence may have led to the tragedy. Locals reported that the railway gate remained open despite the oncoming train, leaving the bus driver unaware of the imminent danger. A greater catastrophe was narrowly averted as the bus was reportedly not running at full capacity, according to a report by OneIndia Tamil.
Residents of the area were the first to respond, pulling students from the wreckage and alerting emergency services. Police and railway officials arrived at the scene soon after and began a joint investigation.
Probe ordered into safety protocols
With multiple unmanned railway crossings still active in rural Tamil Nadu, safety at such junctions has been a persistent concern. Railway and police authorities have launched an inquiry to determine whether standard operating procedures were followed, and whether manual signalling systems at the crossing were functional.
The Tamil Nadu government is expected to release an official statement and may announce compensation for the victims’ families.