Gazipur: Eight people, including three children, were killed as a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (Demu) train smashed a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Haydarabad level-crossing in the city on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased could not be identified immediately.

Local people said the Dhaka-bound Demu train hit the human-hauler at about 2:30pm as it tried to cross the rail line since there was no signalman at the level-crossing, leaving its eight passengers dead on the spot.

There were three men, a woman, three children and the vehicle driver among the deceased.