At least three people, including two schoolchildren, have been killed after a passenger train hit a school van at a railway level crossing in India's West Bengal state, according to an NDTV report run by bdnews24.com.

Several other students have been injured.

The accident occurred around 7:00 am on Friday at the Karnasubarna railway crossing in Berhampore of Murshidabad district, the Indian outlet said.

Railway authorities have launched an investigation, including into allegations of negligence against the gatekeeper.

According to NDTV, the school van was carrying students across the railway crossing when the incident occurred. Witnesses said the crossing gate was open at the time.

The speeding Nimtita-Katwa passenger train slammed into the van as it entered the tracks.

Photographs and videos from the scene showed the school van mangled and lying across the railway line.

Several students were seriously injured and were rushed to Murshidabad Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Local residents said the crossing gate had been closed while an up-line train passed. After that train cleared the crossing, the gatekeeper reopened the gate.

They alleged that the gate was not closed again even though another train was approaching on the adjacent track, leading to the collision.