Thirteen children die as train rams school bus in India

Thirteen children were killed when a passenger train rammed into a school bus in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, reports NDTV.

The incident took place in Dudhi near Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh when a school bus carrying children on their way to Divine Mission School collided with a train at an unmanned railway crossing. The bus was carrying at least 18 children.

The injured have been taken to district hospital Kushinagar, where medical aid is being provided by the district administration.

The incident took place at 7am and visuals from the spot showed bodies thrown all around the accident site.

Railway officials reached the spot and began the work of recovering the bodies.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the death of schoolchildren and instructed the administration to arrange treatment for those affected by the accident.

"Deeply saddened by the death of school children in the unfortunate train crash in Kushinagar district. I pray to strengthen the peace and the kin of the deceased souls. I have instructed the administration to ensure proper treatment of those affected by accident," Adityanath said.

The chief minister has also declared ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased children.