Amritsar train accident: Railway officials rush to accident site

Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are rushing to the spot, officials said.

Relatives mourn at the site of a train accident at Joda Phatak in Amritsar | PTI

NEW DELHI: Railways Friday rushed its top officials to Amritsar as several Dussehra revellers were run over by a passing train, while Union minister Piyush Goyal said immediate relief and rescue operations are being conducted.

Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are rushing to the spot, officials said.

READ | At least 50 dead as train runs over Dussehra revellers in Punjab

"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.

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.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 19, 2018

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.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 19, 2018

Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations," Goyal tweeted from the US where he had gone to attend an event.

READ | Punjab CM Amarinder Singh announces Rs 5 lakh aid to kin of deceased

While Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced Rs 5 lakh for kin of each deceased and free treatment for the injured, officials said there was no decision as yet on any compensation from the railways.