At least five people, including two school students, were killed after a passenger train collided with a school pool car at an open level crossing in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday morning. The accident occurred near Karna Subarna Railway Station in the Azimganj–Katwa section when the vehicle attempted to cross the railway tracks and was struck by the Nimtita–Katwa Passenger train. A cyclist crossing the tracks was also hit during the incident. Several injured victims were initially taken to a nearby hospital before being shifted to Baharampur Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.

Following the accident, authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. The gateman on duty was arrested, while a Permanent Way Inspector of the Railways was suspended over alleged negligence. Eastern Railway officials deployed a 10-member team to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The Railways also announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and ₹2.5 lakh for every injured person. Train services on the affected route were briefly disrupted before resuming after the damaged vehicle was removed from the tracks.

West Bengal Chief Minister condemned the incident, describing it as heartbreaking and assuring that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible after the investigation. District officials supervised rescue and relief operations throughout the day, while the state government directed that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment. Angry residents staged protests at the accident site, alleging negligence at the railway crossing. Several political leaders also visited the location, with calls for stronger safety measures and improved railway infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies in the future.