At least 38 people were killed and 33 others injured when the Mathura-Chhapra Express rammed a stationary, snag-hit bus at an unmanned level crossing near Adhupura village in Kanshi Ram Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh in the early hours of Thursday.
The bus was carrying a marriage party, returning to Etah, when the accident occurred around 2 a.m.
While 30 persons were admitted to the Etah district hospital, the three seriously injured were referred to an Agra hospital.
Official sources in Lucknow said the train, running at great speed, rammed the bus, which developed a snag and came to a halt as its axle broke at the level-crossing. According to reports quoting eyewitnesses, the bus was dragged for about a kilometre before being thrown off the track.
Chief Minister Mayawati has announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the next of kin of the each of the deceased, Rs. 50,000 to the seriously injured and Rs. 25,000 to those with minor injuries.
An official spokesman said that on the directives of the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary had written to the Railway Board Chairman seeking adequate compensation for the victims, who belonged to Yadav Garhi village in Etah district. The State government demanded that the next of kin of the deceased be given jobs in the Railways.
It also urged conversion of unmanned level crossings into manned crossings.
Ms. Mayawati despatched Panchayati Raj Minister Swamy Prasad Maurya and Relief Commissioner K.K. Sinha to Kanshi Ram Nagar district for supervising relief and rehabilitation operations.
