At least 35 people were killed when a train ran over Hindu pilgrims crossing a railway track in eastern India today.

An angry mob then beat the train driver severely and set fire to the coaches in retaliation, officials said.

The pilgrims were crossing the tracks at the station in Dhamara Ghat, a small town in Bihar state, when they were struck by the Rajya Rani Express train, said Dinesh Chandra Yadav, a local member of parliament. Several other people were injured.

The driver was in a critical condition in hospital.