12 killed as train hits auto-rickshaw in Orissa

At least 12 women were killed and five critically injured when an express train rammed into their auto-rickshaw in Odisha’s Sambalpur district Friday, police said.

The incident occurred at an unmanned level-crossing on the outskirts of Sambalpur district headquarters, about 320 km from here, when the auto, packed with around 18 agricultural workers, was trying to cross the tracks.

The auto was hit by the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express.

The injured have been taken to a hospital, a police officer told IANS from the spot.