A devastating accident occurred in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district when a school van carrying children was struck by a moving passenger train at a railway-level crossing. The tragic incident took place on Tuesday morning around 7:45 am at a manned level crossing between Cuddalore and Alappakkam. The collision resulted in the deaths of two students and left at least six others severely injured.

The accident has raised significant concerns regarding safety protocols and potential human error at railway crossings. According to a senior police officer who spoke to NDTV, two children from the village lost their lives, while two others are currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Emergency services promptly transported the injured children to nearby medical facilities for urgent care.

Eyewitnesses reported that the gate at the crossing was open when the train approached, leading to questions about whether the railway staff responsible for managing the crossing were present at the time of the incident. A railway official confirmed that it was indeed a manned crossing and involved a passenger train, but further details are awaited as investigations continue.

The tragic event has sparked outrage among local residents and has renewed demands for stricter safety measures at railway crossings, particularly those frequently used by school vehicles. In response to the incident, an official inquiry is expected to be launched to determine if negligence played a role in this devastating accident. The community is calling for immediate action to prevent such tragedies in the future and ensure the safety of children traveling to and from school.