At least 17 persons were killed and five seriously injured when an express train rammed a crowded jeep which was speeding across an unmanned railway crossing in Madhubani district, police sources said on Sunday.
While details are still vague, sources said the tragedy took place at Rajnagar in Madhubani district, more than 150 km. east of Patna. The victims were on their way to participate in a victory procession of a candidate recently elected as a local village headman.
The train was coming from New Delhi towards Madhubani. The majority of those killed were women.
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The injured were undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conveyed his condolences to the kith and kin of the bereaved and said that they would each receive an amount of Rs. 1.50 lakh from the State budget and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.