In Telangana state, 22 children and a bus driver were killed and several others injured when the Nanded-Secunderabad passenger train collided with a school bus near Masaipet village in Medak District this morning.

The condition of several other students is stated to be serious.The incident took place at an unmanned level crossing between Masaipet and Wadiaram Railway stations on the Secunderabad-Nizamabad section of South Central Railway.

About 40 children who belonged to a private school were onboard the bus when the incident occurred. Rescue and relief activities are underway while the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Eight of them have been shifted to Hyderabad.

Our correspondent reports that the tragedy occurred at an unmanned level crossing near Masaipet village when the ill-fated bus, belonging to a Toopran based private school picked up students from five-six villages this morning.

The bus was on its way to the school with about 40 children on board. All of them were between 6-14 years of age. The impact of the collision was so severe that the train dragged the bus for about a kilometre distance.

School bags, and water bottles lay scattered by the wrecked bus. Pieces of flesh and blood were strewn all around giving a heartrending sight while the bus was mangled beyond recognition.

Villagers blame railway authorities for the mishap, as work on the gate at the level crossing was stopped for unknown reasons.

But the grieving parents found fault with the bus driver for overspeeding and negligence while crossing the railway track.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao has ordered an inquiry into the incident.Expressing shock over the accident, he asked the state Chief Secretary, Rajeev Sharma to take immediate steps to save injured children.

State Irrigation Minister, Harish Rao has rushed to the spot to supervise relief work. The South Central Railways has also rushed a medical team along with a medical relief van to the spot.

Telangana Irrigation minister Harish Rao, who visited the accident site announced an exgratia of 5 lakh rupees to the families of each student who died in the incident.

He also assured local people of setting up a railway gate at the spot within a week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident in Medak district.

Mr Modi has also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.