News Nation Logo

Dussehra celebration turns into nightmare as train speeds over revellers; toll rises to 60

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Lungsanliu Gonmei | Updated on: 20 Oct 2018, 12:14:19 AM
Dussehra celebration turns into nightmare as train speeds over revellers; toll rises to 60

New Delhi:

​​​​​At least 60 people were feared dead and over 50 injured Friday evening as a train coming from Jalandhar ran over a crowd of Dussehra revellers near the Amritsar railway station, reports said.

The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar at great speed when around 300 people were watching 'Ravan dahan' at a Dussehra event near Chaura Bazaar in Amritsar. Railway police forces and locals have been rushed to the accident spot and rescue operations are underway, sources said, adding that the injured have been taken to hospitals in the vicinity.

The moment when DMU train 74943 ran over people who were watching celebrations in Choura Bazar near (Source Unverified)



Around 58 people have died so far: Amritsar Police Commissioner SS Srivastava on train accident



Approximately more than 60 injured people including children have received medical treatment till now. Most people have suffered orthopedic injuries, abrasions, head trauma and eye injuries: Dr Sandeep, Emergency Medical Officer, Civil Hospital,



: MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla who is present at Civil Hospital, says, "probe will be conducted into the incident, action will be taken against those found guilty, even if it is Navjot Kaur Sidhu."



The train accident in Punjab in which over 50 people have died is shocking. I urge the state government & Congress workers to provide immediate relief at the accident site. My condolences to the families of those who have died. I pray that the injured make a speedy recovery.



: State mourning has been declared in Punjab tomorrow, and all offices and educational institutions will remain closed, in the view of train accident.



There are not enough words to mourn the train tragedy that claims so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it casts serious question on administration:Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.



: Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Punjab police personnel present at the site of the accident; Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into accident.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Rs 2 lakhs for the family of those deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in train accident. (file pic)



Punjab CM has set up a Crisis Management Group to monitor the relief and rehabilitation efforts. The Group is led by Health Min Brahm Mohindra, with Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria&Technical Edu Min Charanjit S Channi as members.The team has rushed to the accident site.



Medical teams are rushing to the spot. I am also leaving for the site of the accident. As per initial information, people present near the railway track couldn't hear the sound of the approaching train due bursting crackers: MoS Railways Manoj Sinha on train accident.



Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into the train accident in which has claimed 50 lives and has left 30-35 people injured.



: People who want to donate blood should arrive at the Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Hospital in : Public Relations department, Punjab Government



Indian Railways issues helpline numbers for accident: Helpline telephone numbers at station- Rly -73325, BSNL - 0183-2440024; Power Cabin ASR-Rly - 72820, BSNL - 0183-2402927; Vijay Sahota,SSE: 7986897301 and Vijay Patel, SSE: 7973657316



My govt will give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each deceased & free treatment to injured in govt & pvt hospitals. District authorities have been mobilised on war footing: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh



Saddened and distressed by death of innocent people celebrating Dussehra festival in Amritsar. The accident is tragic. May God give strength to all. My heart goes out to the victims and the bereaved families. My condolences to those who lost their dear ones.



Operations Incharge at the accident site in has told me that only one train was passing from the area. We have issued helpline numbers: CPRO, Northern Railways on train accident.





Ravan effigy was being burnt 70-80 m from the gate,when the effigy fell, people present there ran towards the railway track, at the time a train was passing&level crossing there was shut. As per initial info 30-35 ppl injured: CPRO, Northern Railways on train accident.



: Visuals from Civil Hospital in where those injured in the train accident are being brought for treatment.



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 : Navjot Kaur Sidhu,on accident.



Shocked to know of the resulting in deaths of people at Dussehra celebrations in . Strength to families who’ve lost their dear ones. Hope those injured recover soon.



Punjab CM Amarinder Singh says " today's incident has been absolutely tragic. I am going to Amritsar tomorrow. The state is on full alert."



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.



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."



Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required.




 


Eyewitness at accident site says, "Congress had organised Dussehra celebrations here without permission. Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was the chief guest at the celebrations and she continued to give a speech as people were struck down by the train."



CM has directed Home Secretary, Health Secretary and ADGP Law and Order to immediately rush to Amritsar. Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Sarkaria deputed to immediately reach Amritsar to oversee rescue operations. CM to visit Amritsar tomorrow to access the situation.



Pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dussehra festivities in . My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured, tweets Home Minister Rajnath Singh (File pic)



Shocked to hear of tragic rail accident in Amritsar. Have asked all govt & pvt hospitals to stay open to help in this hour of grief. District authorities have been directed to take up relief and rescue operations on a war footing, tweets Punjab CM (file pic)



The moment when the DMU train 74943 stuck people watching Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar near (Source:Mobile footage-Unverified)



: At gate no. 27 b/w Amritsar & Manawala. As Dussehra celebration was taking place some incident had occurred& people started rushing towards closed gate number 27 while a DMU train number 74943 was passing the closed gate: CPRO Northern Railway; Visuals from accident site.



: Eyewitness say, "The administration and the Dussehra committee are at fault, they should have raised an alarm when the train was approaching, they should have made sure that the train halts or slows down."



: Police says, "There are more than 50 casualties. We are evacuating people, injured taken to the hospital", on accident in which several are feared dead in Choura Bazar near Amritsar



: An eyewitness says, a train travelling at a fast speed ran over several people during Dussehra celebrations, in Choura Bazar near Amritsar



For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

First Published : 19 Oct 2018, 08:05:08 PM

Videos