Over 50 people are feared dead and many more seriously injured as a speeding train ran them over in Amritsar on Friday evening. The accident occurred when these people, standing on a railway track, were watching an effigy of Ravan going up in flames as part of the Dussehra celebrations.
According to a Northern Railway spokesperson, the incident occurred at gate number 27 between Amritsar and Manawala, when a DMU (train number 74943) was crossing through the closed gate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Rs 2 lakh for the family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured, while Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the deceased and free treatment for the injured. The CM has also ordered an inquiry into the accident.
The Ravan effigy had been erected very close to the railway line at Joda Phatak in Amritsar, and a large number of people had assembled on and near the tracks to watch the Ravan vadh.
Have set up Crisis Management Group under @BrahmMohindra to monitor relief & rehabilitation efforts in #Amritsar. Won’t spare any efforts on part of govt to tackle the crisis.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 19, 2018
Videos of the incident, clicked by those shooting burning of Ravan, indicated the speeding train passed through the area during the same time the effigy was going up in flames accompanied by a loud sound of the crackers exploding. Most of the people gathered there apparently did not hear the approaching train.
CM Amarinder Singh, who was scheduled to leave for Israel from New Delhi on Friday evening, has postponed his trip and will fly to Amritsar in the morning to personally assess the situation and meet families of the victims.
As per reports, CM’s media adviser Raveen Thukral said, the mishap occurred during a stampede as people rushed towards the tracks when crackers were burnt in large numbers.
“The reports indicate that train crashed through the crowd on the tracks at that time, leading to the tragedy. So far, 40 people have been confirmed dead and many injured. However, the death toll could rise as the relief operations continue,” he added.
Many of those killed or injured are believed to be migrant labourers and their family members, including minor children. Many of the injured have reportedly lost their limbs in the accident that took place despite heavy deployment of police personnel at the venue to avoid any untoward incident.
“There was a huge crowd at the venue near the railway track and many of the people were watching the burning of effigy from the railway track. So there are many casualties. It could be more than 50. We are evacuating people, injured taken to the hospital”, said Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, SS Shrivastava.
As per eyewitness, no alarm was raised when the train was approaching and they blamed the district and railway administration for not making sure the train was delayed or slowed down in view of the huge gathering of the people at the Dussehra celebrations venue.
“The administration and the Dussehra committee are at fault… they should have made sure that the train halts or slows down,” said an eyewitness.
CM Amarinder Singh has asked all government and private hospitals to stay open in order to provide treatment to the injured. “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,” he tweeted.
We will do everything possible to assist the injured. Have directed the district administration to leave no stone unturned to ensure the best possible treatment for them. pic.twitter.com/90ddA1XeZQ
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 19, 2018
PM Narendra Modi said: “Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. 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.”
Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 19, 2018
Meanwhile, Opposition parties have demanded a probe into the incident. Former CM Prakash Singh Badal demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Harayana High Court into the entire sequence of events leading to the accident to fix responsibility for the grave human tragedy. He said those responsible for the tragedy must be handed exemplary punishment.
Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema said it was a man-made tragedy. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said the incident resulted due to administrative failure.
Demanding tough action against the administrative and railway authorities responsible for the incident, the AAP said it was a grave mistake to allow Dussehra festivities at such an unsafe place.
Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur attended the festivities, and had left at the venue minutes before the tragedy.
“Train was not slowed, I had left the function and got a call 15 minutes later about the incident. Every year Dusshera is celebrated there. The railway crossing was open but the train should have been slowed in view of the festival, “ she said.