A train has mowed down dozens of people in Amritsar, killing at least 60 people and injuring hundreds more who were watching the burning of Ravana effigy in Dussehra festival.
The accident occurred at Dhobi Ghat near Jaura Phatak at around 7 pm. Hundreds of people were standing on railway track enjoying the festivities as the Ravna effigy was located close to the train tracks. A train travelling from Jalandhar to Amritsar ran over the crowd.
"There are more than 50 casualties. We are evacuating people, injured taken to the hospital", said SS Shrivastava, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar.
A local journalist Nanni Joginder says the accident has been filmed by many of those who were shooting the burning of Ravana.
Videos on social media show a heart-wrenching scene of the accident. People tried to run away from the track as they realised the train was arriving. However, there was not much space to run because of the crowd.
Witness said the dead include children too. According to the news agency IANS, there were more than 300 people at the accident spot. At least 72 people have been admitted to the local hospitals.
Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences on Twitter.
“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,” Mr Modi tweeted.
The state government has announced one day of state mourning. Captain Amarinder Singh, the chief minister of Punjab, has ordered an inquiry into the accident.
