Dussehra festivities turned sour as over 50 people were feared killed after DMU train number 74943 mowed people watching Ravana effigies burning along a railway track in Amritsar. The train was en route from Jalandhar to Amritsar.
Two trains passed the two tracks and people came under both the trains. Those who tried to escape from the first train came under the second train which was crossing at the same time on the other track.
The people were reportedly celebrating Dussehra festival and were burning the effigy near the track when the accident happened.
#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
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will visit the spot tomorrow. He has also announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of each deceased & free treatment to injured in govt & pvt hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Kovind, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, and Congress President Rahul Gandhi offered their condolences through their tweets.
The Indian Railways has issues helpline numbers for the accident:
Manawala station- Rly -73325, BSNL – 0183-2440024
Power Cabin ASR-Rly – 72820, BSNL – 0183-2402927;
Vijay Sahota,SSE: 7986897301 and
Vijay Patel, SSE: 7973657316
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the tragic accident could have been avoided, “An unfortunate tragedy has taken place. My heart goes out to all those who have lost their lives & injured in this incident which from the initial reports appears to be a tragedy that could have been avoided.”
PM Narendra Modi approved Rs 2 lakh for the family of those deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the tragic incident.
“The effigy of Ravan was burnt &I had just left the site when the incident happened. Priority is to get the injured treated. Dussehra celebrations are held there every year. People who are doing politics over this incident should be ashamed,” said Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest in the function.