Cuddalore train-school van collision controversy involving DMK

A political twist has found place in the tragic school van crash in Tamil Nadu in which three students lost their lives on Tuesday. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has accused that there was also a language communication barrier in the incident citing, that the railway gateman manning the crossing was not familiar with the Tamil language.

The DMK also holds that, unfamiliarity with the local language might have caused a serious gap in communication, after which they crashed fatally.

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DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, "Already there was an accident here and the Railway authority themselves stated that it was because the person did not know Tamil language. He could not understand what was told to him. The same thing has happened now. So, it is always better in such important positions that the people who know the local language should be posted so that it will be helpful. That will at least save the people."

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: On a school bus crossing railway tracks hit by a train in Cuddalore, DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan says, "Already there was an accident here and the Railway authority themselves stated that it was because the person did not know Tamil language. He could not… pic.twitter.com/akSLL7gljg

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025

The accident happened around 7.45 am when a school van full of students tried to cross a railway level crossing gate 170 between cuddalore and Alappakkam. Train No. 56813 Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger rammed the van.

It is as a result of the collision that threw the van out of the crossing. The loco pilot of the train stopped the train after travelling some distance. TV videos showed the badly smashed yellow school truck.

There developed differences on the status of the gate. Southern Railway claimed that the crossing was closed, but the driver of the van asked it to be opened, and did not waste time. But the driver as well as a wounded student both claim that the gate was open.

The situation led to the loss of four lives of the students initially and subsequently one died in hospital. The driver and a fellow student were taken in Government Hospital, Cuddalore/JIPMER Pondicherry. This took place about 190 km away Chennai.

The initial inquiry at the Southern Railway showed that the gate was shut up at the time of arrival of the van. They said that the gatekeeper wrongly allowed the passage of the van that was against the protocols. The court action has been instituted against the gatekeeper.

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Southern Railway observed that there is an underpass project, which has been pending under the approval of District Collector during the last year. The injured student, Vishwesh, and driver Shankar say the gate was open and no train signal was heard.

One of the bystanders, who had come to the rescue of the victims, got electric shock due to the damaged wiring and was, consequently, hospitalised. Southern Railway was remorseful and compensation was given: Rs 5 Lakh to families of deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh to the victims with serious injuries and 50,000 to the minor injuries.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin declared an increment in the compensation of the victims: Rs 5 lakh to the families of the victims, Rs 1 lakh on serious injury, and Rs 500,000 on minor injury.

A relief train that is equipped with medical facilities was sent by railway authorities. TOP managers such as the General Manager and Divisional Railway Manager were the overseers of rescue efforts. An overhead electrical mast was also damaged by the incident.

Many state authorities like Governor R N Ravi, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Opposition Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami and AMMK (All India Magrim Munnetra Kazhagam) leader TTV Dhinakaran conveyed their condolences.

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