Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to visit Murshidabad on Thursday to meet the families of those killed and injured in last week's tragic railway crossing accident at Karnasubarna in Berhampore.

According to sources, the Chief Minister will travel by helicopter and visit Govindpur under Berhampore Police Station, where he will meet the bereaved families. He is also likely to visit the accident site.

Ahead of the visit, district authorities have stepped up preparations. The Superintendent of Police and other senior administrative officials inspected the Karnasubarna-Govindpur area and reviewed security arrangements.

The accident occurred on Friday morning at a railway level crossing on the Katwa-Azimganj section, when a train collided with a school van. Four schoolchildren and a cyclist were killed, while three other students and the driver of the school van sustained serious injuries.

Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Adhikari expressed deep grief and assured all possible assistance to the victims' families. He also directed the police to arrest the gatekeeper accused of negligence, describing the incident as an unforgivable and heartbreaking tragedy.

During his visit, the Chief Minister is also expected to review the progress of the police investigation with senior officials. Meanwhile, the Railways has launched a separate inquiry into the incident. A 10-member high-level investigation team led by the Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) visited the site shortly after the accident, and the Chief Minister is likely to seek an update on the findings of the railway probe as well.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey