At least 61 people were killed and 74 injured when a speeding train ran over a festive crowd that was spilled over to the tracks while watching the burning of Ravana effigy in Amritsar on Friday night. The train driver had reportedly told the authorities that he was not able to see the crowd on the tracks from a distance. The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar. At least 300 people were at the spot watching 'Ravana dahan', sources said.
The rescue operation was hampered as the authorities were to arrange for floodlights to search the bodies and injured who were thrown by the speeding trains. Amritsar sub-divisional magistrate Rajesh Sharma said 61 people were killed and at least 74 admitted to Amritsar hospital. Raveen Thukral, media advisor to chief minister Amarinder Singh, put the number of dead at 40, adding the toll could rise. The chief medical officer at Amritsar Civil hospital said doctors had treated at least 80 injured after the accident.
The state government also announced Rs 5,00,000 compensation to the families of the dead, while the Centre announced a compensation of Rs 2,00,000 for grieving families. Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujlawho visited the injured at Civil Hospital, said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a financial relief of Rs 2,00,000 for the family of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Union minister Harsimran Kaur Badal said, "There are not enough words to mourn the victims of the tragedy. Railways minister Piyush Goyal said, "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." Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he spoke to the Punjab home secretary and the DGP over the train accident. "Centre is ready to provide all possible assistance to the state at this hour of grief," he said.
