Amritsar train disaster 50 killed. Toll to rise

• OCT 19 2018, 19:53PM IST
• UPDATED: OCT 19 2018, 21:01PM IST

Dussehra celebrations on Friday turned tragic in Punjab's Amritsar as a train ploughed through people standing across the tracks watching and revelling as the effigy of Ravana went up in smoke.

The speeding train mowed down at least 50 revellers as it crushed and blew away anybody who came in its way. At least 300 people were at the spot watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks.

Officials said at least 50 were also injured in the incident that took place at Joda Phatak. They said the train was travelling from Jalandhar to Amritsar.

The people were in shock and disbelief as they narrated the incident. "The driver didn't blow the horn," alleged one of the witnesses.

Another women was inconsolable as she said her son has been killed in the accident.

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.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the Amritsar train accident and said he was rushing to the spot to personally supervise rescue and relief operations.

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. 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.

Officials said the toll may be higher.

An unverified video of the incident has been uploaded on social media by a Twitter user identified as Satinder Pal Singh and is being run as visuals on television channels
NOTE: DH cannot yet independently vouch for the veracity of the video.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced all possible assistance by the Centre to Punjab as a large number of Dussehra revellers standing across railway tracks were mowed down by a passing train near Amritsar.

"Pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dussehra festivities in Punjab. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured," Singh tweeted soon after the incident.

The Home Minister said he has spoken to Home Secretary and DGP of Punjab regarding the accident and they are rushing to the spot. "Centre is ready to provide all possible assistance to the state at this hour of grief," he said.

An eyewitness account of the tragedy was also uploaded onto social media by a Twitter user identified as Vikas Tripathi who according to his bio, works for Aaj Tak.

NOTE: DH cannot yet independently vouch for the veracity of the video.

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

At least 300 people were at the spot watching 'Ravan Dahan', sources said.

The toll is likely to rise, he said. Further details are awaited.

(This is a developing story. More details are awaited.)

• Train Accident
• Amritsar