52 killed as train runs over revellers in India

Top Stories

52 killed as train runs over revellers in India

Amritsar - At least 300 people were at the spot watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks.

By Reuters

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sat 20 Oct 2018, 6:36 PM

A commuter train travelling at high speed struck a crowd of people seated on tracks in northern India on Friday and at least 52 were killed, Punjab state police and witnesses said.
"The people were sitting on and near the tracks on the outskirts of Amritsar watching the burning of effigies as part of the Dussehra festival when a commuter train ran over them," a police officer said.
Also read: Amritsar train accident: Punjab CM announces Rs5 lakh aid to deceased
Also read: Indian PM Modi mourns Dussehra train tragedy

At least 72 people were admitted to hospital with injuries, the police officer in the control room said, after what he called a "freak accident" given that people did not hear the train approaching amid the din of festivities and fireworks. Reuters partner ANI news agency reported that an eyewitness at the scene said the train that ran over people was travelling at a high speed.

Amarinder Singh, Punjab Chief Minister, said he was rushing to Amritsar to supervise relief and rescue operations. "District authorities have been mobilised on war footing," Singh tweeted. Local TV stations showed images of angry and distraught locals including a weeping mother who had just lost a child in the tragedy.


More news from