Many people have been feared killed in a train accident in Amritsar, Punjab.
Officials said the train was travelling from Jalandhar to Amritsar.
When it reached Joda Bazaar it crushed people who had gathered on the railway track to watch the burning of the effigies of Kumbhkarna, Meghnaad, and Ravana on the occasion of Dussehra.
A large number of people were watching the burning of effigies while standing along and on the railway tracks. They reportedly could not hear the train’s siren due to the noise of the exploding crackers.
The dead include many children say the witnesses. There were reportedly around 700 people at the accident spot say the officials.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, reacting to the incident tweeted, “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.”
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
According to ANI, Punjab CM has directed Home Secretary, Health Secretary, and ADGP Law and Order to immediately rush to Amritsar. Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Sarkaria has been deputed to immediately reach Amritsar to oversee rescue operations.
According to Amritsar Police Commissioner SS Srivastava, “The exact number of casualties is unconfirmed but it is definitely more than 50-60. We are still evacuating people.”