Murshidabad train tragedy: Railway gateman arrested after 4 deaths

3 min readUpdated: Jul 17, 2026 02:45 PM IST

3 children were killed after a train ramped a school van trying to cross the tracks in West Bengal Murshidabad.

The Eastern Railway on Friday said the gateman of the railway crossing involved in the Murshidabad tragedy has been arrested. This comes after five people, including three school students, died after a passenger train collided with a school van crossing the railway tracks in West Bengal’s Murshidabad earlier on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari called the incident a human error and said five people have been killed in the crash.

“It is not an accident, but a human error. So far 5 people have died. West Bengal police have arrested the gateman. I have asked the police to check if he (gateman) was intoxicated,” the chief minister said.

Taking to X, Suvendu said negligence would not be tolerated and a thorough investigation would be conducted into the incident.

“The Railway Gateman has already been arrested by the State Police. A thorough investigation into the circumstances of this incident will be conducted and I assure the people of West Bengal that the strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible,” Suvendu said in a post on X.

Deeply saddened by the tragic train accident in Murshidabad this morning.

My heart goes out to the families especially parents of the young students who lost their lives. There are no words to ease such profound pain and the entire State stands with the bereaved families during…

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) July 17, 2026

The chief minister said he has directed the Bengal administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured and affected families.

“Minister Gouri Sankar Ghosh has already visited the Hospital and monitoring the situation. District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police are already on site since morning and personally supervising the operations,” he added.

What Eastern Railway said?

The Eastern Railway in a statement said the gateman on the crossing gate between Khagraghat Road and Karnasubarna stations opened the “Level Crossing gate incorrectly for giving passage to road traffic at about 6:40 am on Friday”.

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“After passage of 13431 UP Nabadwip Dham – Balurghat Express, the Gateman of a Level Crossing gate between Khagraghat Road and Karnasubarna stations opened the Level Crossing gate incorrectly for giving passage to road traffic at about 6:40 hrs. today. But unfortunately, 53054 Nimtita – Katwa Passenger train suddenly approached to the level crossing and dashed a road vehicle passing through the level crossing gate No. 24A/2 near Nimtita in Azimganj- Katwa section of Howrah division,” the Railway statement said.

It further said that the Railway Minister has announced an ex-gratia of to Rs 10 lakhs for the family of deceased.

“The Gateman named Anup Karmakar has been arrested and the concerned PWI named Kaushik Mal has been put under suspension. Further investigation will follow,” it added.