A high-speed train today plowed into a crowd of pilgrims crossing the tracks at a remote station in east India. As many as 37 are dead, and more than 40 injured in the carnage. Officials noted the pilgrims were crossing the tracks illegally.
The Rajya Rani Express was given the clearance to pass through the three-track station in the east Indian state of Bihar. However, hundreds of pilgrims visiting a local temple had alighted from two other trains and were crossing the tracks when the high speed train ran them over. The devotees thought they would be able to stop the train.
The driver pulled the emergency brake but could not stop the train in time, according to a railway ministry official.