15 dead as train collides with taxi in north India

Police in India say 15 people were killed when a train collided with an overcrowded taxi minivan at an unmanned railroad crossing in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Police spokesman Surendra Srivastava says the taxi driver is suspected of ignoring a signal that the train was approaching and crossing the rail tracks.

The minivan had capacity for 10 people but was carrying 19 when the train slammed into its rear Tuesday morning and threw it off the track near Hathras, about 200 miles (350 kilometers) southwest of the state capital, Lucknow.

The driver and 14 passengers were killed on the spot. The four others are being treated at a hospital for injuries.

The taxi passengers had been returning to their village after a funeral.

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