The driver of the school van was attempting to cross the Railway Level Crossing Gate No. 170, between Cuddalore and Alappakkam, when the vehicle was hit by Train No. 56813 Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger
At least three schoolchildren were killed and three others sustained serious injuries after their school van was rammed by a passenger train at a manned railway gate at Semmankuppam near Cuddalore SIPCOT on Tuesday (July 8, 2025).
The deceased students have been identified as Nimilesh, 12, Charumathi, 16, and Chezhiyan, 15. The death toll could rise, the police said, adding that the driver of the school van Sankar, 47, was among the injured who were rushed to the Cuddalore Government General Hospital.
What happened?
The van belonging to a private CBSE school was attempting to cross the Railway Level Crossing Gate No. 170, (a non-interlocked manned gate) between Cuddalore and Alappakkam, when it was hit by Train No. 56813 Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger.
Four students, including Chezhiyan, who sustained injuries, were admitted to the Government Hospital, Cuddalore. Chezhiyan was then taken to Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in Puducherry, where he was declared dead.
Annadurai, 55, a local resident, who rushed to the accident site to rescue the children also sustained serious injuries after a overhead power cable snapped and fell on him.
A railway relief train with medical relief van has been dispatched to the site. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and Branch Officers are proceeding to the spot.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that while gatekeeper proceeded to close the gate, the driver insisted that he lets the school van pass, which should have not been permitted. Committee of officers from Safety, Operation, and Engineering branch are investigating the incident.
However, eyewitnesses accounts said the gatekeeper had dozed off and failed to close the gate. An irate crowd allegedly beat the gatekeeper following the incident.
Stalin expresses shock
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a post on X, said he was deeply shocked and pained by the incident. “I extend my heartfelt condolences and solace to the parents, relatives, and friends of the deceased students,” he said.
Mr. Stalin ordered that a sum of ₹5 lakh each be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the parents of the children who lost their lives. “Furthermore, ₹1 lakh each will be disbursed to those who were severely injured and are undergoing treatment, and ₹50,000 each for those with minor injuries,” he said.
AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami said in a post on X: “I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased students. I urge the DMK government to take appropriate measures to ensure proper treatment for those who have been seriously injured and admitted to the hospital.”