Three school students killed in van-train collision in TN; Railway gatekeeper arrested
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) (PTI) : Three school students were killed in this district on Tuesday when the van they were travelling in collided with a passenger train, even as different versions of the tragic incident surfaced.
The gatekeeper posted at the level crossing in question has been suspended and arrested, Southern Railway, which apologised for the "unfortunate incident," said.
Around 7:45 am, the school van carrying the students attempted to cross the railway level crossing Gate No. 170 (a non-interlocked manned gate) between Cuddalore and Alappakkam, and was hit by Train No. 56813 Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger, it added.
Due to the impact, the van was flung a distance away from the level crossing. The loco pilot managed to stop the train after traversing some distance, police said. TV visuals showed the mangled remains of the yellow-painted school vehicle.
While the Southern Railway said the level crossing was closed and the van driver insisted it be opened to avoid delay, the latter and one of the injured students claimed the gate was open.
"Tragically, 3 students expired and 1 student & driver have been injured and admitted to the Government Hospital, Cuddalore/JIPMER Pondicherry (Puducherry)," a Southern Railway release in Chennai said. One of the injured students succumbed in a hospital.
Cuddalore is located about 190 km from state capital Chennai.
There were four students and the driver in the vehicle when the incident happened.
Southern Railway said preliminary inquiry revealed that the gate was in a "closed condition when the van arrived."
"However, the van driver insisted to allow the van to cross the gate to avoid delay in reaching the school, which was wrongly permitted by the gatekeeper, violating the rules & protocol. The gatekeeper could not have opened the gate as per the rules. The gate keeper has been suspended and process has been initiated for his dismissal from service, and FIR has been lodged against him for this criminal negligence, and the gatekeeper has been arrested," it said in the release.
An underpass is already sanctioned by Southern railway on this LC gate with full Railway funding, but permission for it is not being given by District Collector for the last one year, it claimed.
Meanwhile, both the injured persons--a class XII student and the driver Shankar, claimed the railway gate was open.
The student, who identified himself as Vishwesh, told a TV channel that "neither was the gate closed, nor was there any signal."
"The gate was open, there was no train horn (blaring). So the driver proceeded and suddenly the train came and the accident happened," he said.
The van driver, undergoing treatment, also said the gate was open.
Meanwhile, one person who rushed to the aid of the victims upon witnessing the accident suffered electric shock from a damaged live wire, officials said. He has been hospitalised.
The Railway expressed deep regret for the loss of precious lives and injury to persons, and offered its "apologies for this unfortunate incident".
"The Railway doctors are also monitoring the patients admitted into GH as well as the one injured shifted to JIPMER, Puducherry for treatment. Ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh to kin of diseased, Rs 2.5 lakh to kin of grievously injured and Rs 50,000/- for other injured persons will be disbursed by Railway today," the release said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed profound grief over the death of the students and announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh each to the victims' parents.
A release quoting the Chief Minister said he ordered a compensation of Rs one lakh each to those who were seriously injured and undergoing treatment, and Rs 50,000 each to those who have sustained minor injuries.
A railway relief train with a medical relief van has been dispatched to the site. The General Manager, Southern Railway, Divisional Railway Manager and senior officers are at site to supervise the rescue and relied measures. One mast/pole of Overhead electric system also got damaged in the process, officials said.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK chief and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran among others expressed anguish over the incident and condoled the death of the students.
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Passenger slapped during panic attack on IndiGo flight; Goes missing after landing, family seeks ans
Mumbai/Kolkata/Silchar: A shocking incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 from Mumbai to Kolkata has gone viral, sparking outrage after a video emerged showing a man being slapped mid-flight while reportedly suffering a panic attack. The victim, identified as Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar from Assam, has since gone missing, and his family is seeking urgent answers.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows Hossain in visible distress, attempting to leave his seat and reportedly requesting to deboard. As flight attendants tried to calm him down, another passenger suddenly approached and slapped him. The incident triggered immediate protest from fellow travellers.
A young man suffers a panic attack, his co passenger slaps him. Indigo airlines says “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol.”
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) August 1, 2025
This is a criminal case and the man needs to be on a No Fly List @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/dY1gQC6ze0
Hossain, a gym trainer based in Mumbai, was en route to his hometown Katigorah in Cachar district via a connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar. However, he never boarded the Silchar flight, and his mobile phone remains unreachable. His family, who had gathered at the Silchar airport, are now in distress. Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, said, “We have no idea where he is. We’ve contacted the police and airport authorities but haven’t received any concrete information.” His father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said tearfully, “He was our only hope. Now we don’t even know if he’s safe.” In a statement issued on August 1, IndiGo Airlines said: “We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew. Our crew acted in accordance with established procedures. The individual identified as unruly was handed over to the security authorities upon arrival. Regulatory agencies have been informed as per protocol.”
We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 1, 2025
Our crew acted in accordance with…
However, the airline's statement has been criticised for failing to clarify what happened to Hossain after the incident, whether he received medical help, was detained, or was allowed to continue his journey.
Weak kneed response from @IndiGo6E . Has the man who got physical with a fellow passenger been put on a no-fly list? Has Indigo followed up on its complaint at point of disembarkation? If the passenger was handed over to the @CISFAirport were charges pressed? pic.twitter.com/qXMnfiBbFE
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) August 1, 2025
The video triggered widespread anger on social media, with many users interpreting the slap as a possible hate-driven act. However, aviation journalist Jagriti Chandra of The Hindu offered a clarification on X, stating: “The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight was handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident occurred after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to deboard. Both belong to the same religious community.”
The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to de board.
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 1, 2025
Both belong to the same religious community.
Incident on… https://t.co/f0QPXG5hxG
Despite this clarification, concerns remain about the airline's handling of a visibly distressed passenger, particularly in the context of mental health. Unverified posts circulating on social media claim that Hossain was later found, though there has been no official confirmation from authorities or the airline.
Alhamdulillah! Hussain Ahmed Mazumder, who was assaulted on an IndiGo flight while returning from Mumbai to Silchar and went missing, has now been found safe in Kolkata.
— Munir (@tapadar_1314) August 1, 2025
He is stable and in contact with his family. pic.twitter.com/MEGSGzHTk7
