Amritsar revellers mowed down on tracks by speeding trains while watching Ravana dahan; death toll may rise to 60 plus

The occasion of Ravana dahan to mark the end of Durga Puja festivities turned out to be a heart-rending event  in Amritsar when a speeding train mowed down around 61 revellers who were gathered on the tracks to watch the ten-headed Ravana effigy go in flames across the railway crossing on Friday.

As the effigy was lit and the fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started retreating towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials said.         However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time giving little opportunity to people to escape, they said, adding that at least 300 people were near the tracks.

Eyewitnesses told The Pioneer that due to sound of firecrackers people could not hear the sound of the approaching trains. “No one heard the trains coming and it was running at quite a speed,” said Sukhjinder Singh an eyewitness. “I have lost my minor child. I want him back,” an inconsolable mother could be heard.

The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred in the evening at Joda Phatak. “There are more than 60 casualties. We are evacuating people, injured are being taken to the hospital”, said SS Shrivastava, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, moments after the tragedy. Sub Divisional Magistrate, Amritsar I, Rajesh Sharma said 61 bodies have been found and at least 72 injured have been admitted to a Government hospital. Officials said the toll may be higher.

Wails and cries of people filled the air as friends and relatives frantically looked for their near and dear ones. Severed bodies, including of many children, were still lying on the accident site hours after the incident with angry people not allowing authorities to remove them.

“Several times we have been requesting the authorities and local leaders telling them to take up the issue with railway authorities to slow down the trains near this Phatak during Dussehra, but no one has listened,” a local said.

Angry people shouted slogans against local MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was present as Chief Guest during the event.

She later said she rushed to the hospital immediately after the incident. The MLA later told reporters that after she left the spot she got a call about the accident. “I am camping at  hospitals to supervise rescue and. I will camp here the entire night to see that affected people get some succour.”

Navjot, also a former MLA, wondered how train could move at a speed and there was no mechanism to warn railway authorities about the gathering.

Eyewitnesses said there were no barricades 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.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh rushed to Amritsar to personally supervised relief and rescue efforts. He has asked all Government and private hospitals to stay open. “My Government will give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each deceased and free treatment to injured in Government and private hospitals. District authorities have been mobilised on war footing,” he tweeted.

The CM, who was scheduled to leave for Israel this evening,

has postponed his trip and will fly to Amritsar in the morning to personally supervise relief operations and meet families of the victims of the incident, which occurred during Dussehra festivities, an official statement said.

The CM also announced free treatment to all injured in the accident. But what people in the city are questioning is the approach of the Railway authorities and how could they allow the train when they knew that a crowd had gathered to watch the Dussehra festivities. “The train was moving at a fast pace...How the train driver could not see such a large number of people on the railway tracks,” said a retired Railway official on the condition of anonymity.

“This is inexplicable...I cannot even comprehend how could this happen in a railway system which is supposed to be so modern,” he added. Former Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal tweeted, “Extremely sad to hear the unfortunate death of innocent devotees watching Dussehra at Joda Gate in Amritsar by a speeding train. Local organisers and police must answer how the celebrations were allowed to be held near the railway track.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the incident and said he had asked officials to provide immediate assistance. “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,” he tweeted.

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are rushing to the spot, officials said.

“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,” Goyal tweeted from the US, where he had gone to attend an event.

“Very very sad to learn about the unfortunate rail incident in Amritsar during Dussehra festivities. I have no words to describe my shock and agony. My heart goes out to the family members of the victims. Pray that the injured persons recover very quickly,” TMC chief Mamata Banerjee tweeted.