Over 50 killed, 72 injured as train runs into people watching Ravana effigy burn in Amritsar

Oct 19 (AZINS) At least 58 people were killed and 72 others injured in Punjab's Amritsar on Friday after a train ran over the crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of Ravana effigy.

The accident took place at Joda Phatak near Choura Bazar in Amritsar when the train (DMU- 74943) ran into a burning effigy of Ravana. The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar where at least 300 people were watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Amritsar I Rajesh Sharma said 58 people have died and at least 72 injured have been admitted to Amritsar hospital.

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.

However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time giving little opportunity to people to escape, they said.

The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Severed bodies, including of many children, were still lying on the accident site hours after the incident with angry people not allowing authorities to remove them.

Amritsar train accident: Check helpline numbers here

The incident sent shock waves across the country. There was an outpouring of grief with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoling the loss of lives. Modi directed officials to provide immediate assistance.

"Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching," he tweeted.

"My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required," he said."Shocked to hear about the tragedy on rail tracks in Amritsar, Punjab. Understand Indian Railways and local authorities are taking steps to help affected people," Kovind said.

Punjab Chief Amarinder Singh announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the Amritsar train accident and said he was rushing to the spot to personally supervise rescue and relief operations.

"Rushing to Amritsar to personally supervise relief and rescue in tragic rail accident on Dussehra in Amritsar. My government will give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each deceased and free treatment to injured in government and private hospitals. District authorities have been mobilised on war footing," Singh tweeted.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal expressed shock and said that he is returning back to India from the US.

"Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred in Amritsar. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the injured to recover quickly. Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations," he said in a tweet.

"May God give strength to the bereaved and injured. Railways is proving all possible assistance at the site. I have cancelled all engagemnts in USA and immediately returning back to India," he said in another tweet.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he is 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," he tweeted.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also said he was asking the state government and the party workers to provide immediate relief at the accident site.

"The train accident in Punjab in which over 50 people have died is shocking. My condolences to the families of those who have died. I pray that the injured make a speedy recovery," Gandhi said.