WEB DESK / NEW DELHI / AMRITSAR
At least 50 are feared killed after a train ran into a crowd of people standing on a railway track watching the burning of Ravan’s effigy in Amritsar this evening. Death toll may go up as many people are gravely injured. death has not been official confirmed yet..
According to reports the people who were hit reportedly could not hear the approaching train due to the exploding crackers.
Reports suggest the Ravana effigy was erected very close to the railway tracks at Joda Phatak in Amritsar.
The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak.
At least 300 people were at the spot watching ‘Ravana dahan’ at a ground near the tracks.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Amritsar I Rajesh Sharma said 50 bodies have been found and at least 50 injured have been admitted to a government hospital.
Rushing to Amritsar to personally supervise relief & rescue in tragic rail accident on Dussehra in Amritsar. My govt will give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each deceased & free treatment to injured in govt & pvt hospitals. District authorities have been mobilised on war footing.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 19, 2018
As the effigy was lit and the fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started retreating towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials said.
“There are more than 50 casualties. We are evacuating people, injured taken to the hospital”, said SS Shrivastava, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar.
Witnesses said the dead included children. There were reportedly around 700 people at the accident spot, according to a news agency.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has asked all government and private hospitals to stay open. “Shocked to hear of tragic rail accident in Amritsar… District authorities have been directed to take up relief and rescue operations on a war footing,” he tweeted.
Leader of opposition Punjab Harpal Singh Cheema tweeted, “My heart goes out to the bereaved family members who lost their loved once in Amritsar train accident. At this unfortunate event we stand with the family and pray for the departed soul.”
Pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dussehra festivities in Punjab. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 19, 2018
The chief minister has rushed to Amritsar to personally supervise relief and rescue operations. The government has announced to give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each deceased and free treatment to the injured in government and private hospitals.District authorities have been mobilised on a war footing.