Amritsar train accident: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh announces Rs 5 lakh aid to kin of deceased
At least 50 people were killed when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train near here, officials said.
Published: 19th October 2018 08:55 PM | Last Updated: 19th October 2018 08:55 PM | A+A A-
Punjab CM has directed Home Secretary, Health Secretary and ADGP Law and Order to immediately rush to Amritsar (Photo | Twitter/ANI)
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the Amritsar train accident Friday and said he was rushing to the spot to personally supervise rescue and relief operations.
At least 50 people were killed when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train near here, officials said.
READ | At least 50 dead as train runs over Dussehra revellers in Punjab
The Chief Minister also announced free treatment to all injured in the accident.
"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.
#WATCH Amritsar accident: Police Commissioner SS Srivastava says, "Exact death toll is not known but it is definitely more than 50-60. We are still evacuating people." pic.twitter.com/5l9Gjw90VB
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018
District authorities have been mobilised on war footing," Singh tweeted.
The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred in the evening 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.
#WATCH The moment when the DMU train 74943 stuck people watching Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar near #Amritsar (Source:Mobile footage-Unverified) pic.twitter.com/cmX0Tq2pFE
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018
Officials said the toll may be higher.
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 Several people were mowed down by one of the trains, they added.
