Lucknow, Mar 20 (IANS): At least 15 people were killed Tuesday when a passenger train rammed into a van at an unmanned crossing in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

The accident took place in the early hours of Tuesday when a vehicle packed with more than 25 persons was crossing the tracks. The driver could not see the approaching train and by the time he reacted, it had rammed into the vehicle, killing 15 people on the spot and injuring about half a dozen, police said.

Rail traffic on the route was disrupted for more than an hour and was restored after the tracks were cleared of the mangled vehicle with the help of cranes.

The injured were rushed to a nearby medical facility where the condition of 4 was stated to be critical. Police said that they were in the process of identifying the deceased after which their bodies would be sent for autopsy. Meanwhile, the Railways has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased.