Train hits auto, 13 dead

At least 13 people were killed and six others injured when a train collided with an auto rickshaw at an unmanned level crossing in Sambalpur district on Friday. The accident took place between Sambalpur City and Maneswar stations under Sambalpur division of East Coast Railway at about 08.42hrs when Bhubaneswar bound Rourkela-Bhubaneswar intercity Express dashed with an over loaded passenger auto-rickshaw, said an ECoR release. The vehicle was carrying women agricultural labourers to Sindurpanka village. The deceased were 12 women labourers and driver of the vehicle. Senior officials of the ECoR have rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Sources say, 12 people died on the spot while another succumbed to injury at the hospital.