Nearly 55 were killed as a train mowed down people watching a Ravana effigy burn in Amritsar’s Joda.
The incident took place at around 7 pm. A crowd of around 300 people was watching Ravan effigy burn, additional district commissioner of police, city-2, Lakhbir Singh said.
Here are the live updates:
Amarinder Singh orders inquiry into the accident
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into the train accident..
Blood donation at Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar: Govt
People who want to donate blood should arrive at the Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar: Public Relations department, Punjab Government.
Piyush Goyal cancels all engagements, retuning to India
Railway minister Piyush Goyal has cancelled all engagements in the USA and immediately returning back to India.
From initial report, appears tragedy could have been avoided: Jaitley
An unfortunate tragedy has taken place place. My heart goes out to all those who have lost their lives and injured in this incident which from the initial reports appears to be a tragedy that could have been avoided: Arun Jaitley.
Only one train was passing from the area: Northern Railways CPRO
Operations Incharge at the accident site in #Amritsar has told me that only one train was passing from the area. We have issued helpline numbers: CPRO, Northern Railways on #Amritsar train accident, reports ANI
Ravan effigy was being burnt 70-80 m from railway gate: Railways CPRO
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 and level crossing there was shut. As per initial information, 30-35 people were injured: CPRO, Northern Railways on Amritsar train accident
Had left the site when the incident happened: Navjot Kaur Sidhu
The effigy of Ravan was burnt and 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, says Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of Amritsar (East) MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Two trains arrived from opposite direction at the same time: Officials
According to officials, two trains arrived from opposite direction at the same time giving little opportunity to people to escape, reports PTI
No barricading near the railway tracks, say eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses said there were no barricading near the railway tracks and the people were forced to see the Dusshehra ceremony by standing on tracks. The effigy of Ravana was being burnt around 200 feet away from the railway track.
Minister Manoj Sinha, railway board chairman rush to Amritsar
Minister of state Manoj Sinha is immediately rushing to Amritsar along with chairman of the railway board.
Rahul Gandhi asks state govt, party workers to provide immediate relief
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asks state govt, party workers to provide immediate relief at Amritsar train accident site.
Railways conducting immediate relief, rescue operations: Piyush Goyal
Railway minister Piyush Goyal says, “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.”
The state is on full alert: Punjab CM
#WATCH Punjab CM Amarinder Singh says ” today’s incident has been absolutely tragic. I am going to Amritsar tomorrow. The state is on full alert.” pic.twitter.com/RHLO2LxAoa
— ANI (@ANI)October 19, 2018
Death toll definitely more than 50-60: Police
Police Commissioner SS Srivastava says, “Exact death toll is not known but it is definitely more than 50-60. We are still evacuating people.”
Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife was chief guest at the celebrations: Eyewitness
#WATCH Eyewitness at #Amritsar 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.” pic.twitter.com/rcsxbVxiB9
— ANI (@ANI)October 19, 2018
Asked officials to provide immediate assistance, PM Modi
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)October 19, 2018
Speeding train caught in video
Centre to provide all possible assistance to Punjab: Rajnath Singh
Home minister Rajnath Singh says Centre to provide all possible assistance to Punjab.
The home minister says he has spoken to home secretary and DGP of Punjab regarding the accident and they are rushing to the spot.
Govt announces Rs 5 lakh to kin of dead, free treatment for injured
Rushing to Amritsar to personally supervise relief & rescue in tragic rail accident on Dussehra in Amritsar. 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.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder)October 19, 2018
Authorities directed to take up relief, rescue operations on a war footing: CM
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.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder)October 19, 2018
Toll rises to 50
Death toll mounts to 50 as train mows down Dussehra revellers near Amritsar: Subdivisional magistrate Rajesh Sharma
People were standing on Amritsar-Delhi railway route
Hundreds of people were standing on Amritsar-Delhi railway route to watch Dussehra ceremony. They failed to hear the sound of the approaching train as it got drowned out by the noise of firecrackers being let off during the burning of Ravana effigy. In the meantime, the DMU train was coming from Hoshiarpur to Amritsar via Jalandhar as scheduled around 7pm and mowed down several people.
Source: HindustanTimes