1st LD Writethru: 7 kids killed as train hits school van in N. India

At least seven children were killed and 12 others injured after their school van was hit by a speeding train at an unmanned crossing in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Monday morning, a senior police official said.

"The incident took place when the van of a private school, carrying about 19 children, was passing through the unmanned crossing at Mehandipur in the state's Bhadohi district. The Manduadih-Allahabad passenger train rammed the van around 8 a.m. local time," he said, on condition of anonymity.

While seven kids died on the spot, those injured have been admitted to a local hospital where the condition of eight children are said to be serious.

"Seven kids were announced brought dead and the injured ones are being treated," the official said.

A probe has been ordered into the incident to ascertain whether it was the fault of the school van driver or there was no railway staff at the unmanned crossing, a senior Indian Railways official said, adding that temporary disruption of rail services have resumed within a few hours.

The Indian Railways is one of the world's largest railway network. But its safety record is under question because of rail mishaps, which are common in India and often unmanned crossings are to be blamed for such incidents. Endit