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Several people are stuck under the debris. Rescue operations are underway.
Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, posted an “appeal to all our volunteers... to help the authorities”.
The accident occurred at gate no. 27 between Amritsar & Manawala. As Dussehra celebration was taking place some incident had occurred and people started rushing towards closed gate number 27 while a DMU train number 74943 was passing the closed gate: CPRO Northern Railway.
Punjab Chief Minister Capt. (R) Amarinder Singh is rushing to the accident site. He has announced a compensation of “Rs 5 Lakh to the kin of each deceased and free treatment to injured”.
The people watching the burning Ravana effigy near the Jora Phatak feared that debris from the effigy might fall on them. Fearing this, the people standing close to the effigy started to retreat towards the railway tracks behind them. At this moment, a train ran into at least 100 people standing on the tracks. The driver of the train did not sound the horn before approaching the crossing, hence leading to the mishap.Eyewitness
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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 19, 2018
#WATCH 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." pic.twitter.com/5l9Gjw90VB
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018
We will do everything possible to assist the injured. Have directed the district administration to leave no stone unturned to ensure the best possible treatment for them.Amarinder Singh, CM, Punjab
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal offered condolences and said that the Railways was conducting relief and rescue operations in earnest.
In a statement to India Today, Navjot Singh Sidhu said the incident was an irreparable loss. He added that he was devastated, especially since it happened in his constituency. Sidhu added that he will reach Amritsar by 7 am tomorrow.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Singh and Chairman Railway Board Ashwani Lohani are rushing to the accident site.
Navjot Kaur, Congress leader and Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife, refuted reports that said she left the spot after the accident, clarifying that she had left before the incident took place. She added that she had left as soon as the Ravana effigy had been set ablaze.
“The 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, to ANI
Former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said, in a statement to CNN News18, “It's a very sad incident. My heart goes out to the relatives of the victims. Now is not the time to portion blame. We have to ensure this never ever happens again.”
He added, “We don’t value human lives. That’s the problem. Despite many reports warning about the risks, we don’t take action.”
Manoj Sinha, MoS, Railways, in a statement to India Today, said that they had received no request for the effigy burning near the railway tracks and added he doesn’t want to turn the accident into a political blame game. He is currently en route to the incident and voiced the state’s full support to the victims.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the most important thing now was to provide relief to the victims. He added that the state and central governments should join hands to provide medical relief to the victims.
The railway crossing where the accident took place wasn’t barricaded or closed off, and the security personnel were busy since they’d been deployed to protect Sidhu’s wife, India Today reported.
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has cancelled all engagements in the US and is immediately returning to India, ANI reported.
Akali Dal leader BS Majithia said that Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife’s presence was the reason the accident took place, stating that “responsibility must start at the top, not from the bottom.”
He added that, “witnesses from the scene blamed Navjot Kaur Sidhu saying that she had arrived late, and the programme had to be delayed for her.”
People who want to donate blood should arrive at the Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar, the Punjab Government’s Public Relations department said.
Have set up Crisis Management Group under @BrahmMohindra to monitor relief & rehabilitation efforts in #Amritsar. Won’t spare any efforts on part of govt to tackle the crisis.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 19, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of those deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in Amritsar train accident.
In a statement to CNN News18, Health Minister JP Nadda said, “Whatever support you need from us, we're there to help you. But it is the state's responsibility to call hospitals and tell them not to turn people away. It is also for the state to do whatever's necessary.”
“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, Amritsar said.
All services on Jalandhar-Amritsar route remained suspended three hours after Dussehra revellers standing across railway tracks were mowed down by a train near Amritsar Friday evening, a railway official told PTI.
Deeply saddened to hear about horrific train accident in Amritsar. My heart goes out to bereaved families. Heartfelt condolences and prayers.
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) October 19, 2018
Union Health Ministry Secretary Preeti Sudan has spoken to Punjab Principal Health Secretary Satish Chandra, ANI reported. He is proceeding to Amritsar. Health Minister has asked PGI Chandigarh to remain on alert.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has spoken to Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, and taken cognisance of the tragedy, reported ANI.
Northern Railways issues helpline numbers at New Delhi railway station for #Amritsar accident: 01123342954, 01123341074, 01142622280 & 1072- 4 lines, Railway no. 22280.
13 trains shortly terminated, 5 trains short originated, 6 trains cancelled & 2 trains diverted following the Amritsar train accident, CPRO Northern Railways told ANI.
Speaking to ANI, Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore said:
“This is very unfortunate incident.Inquiry will be done and those who need to be punished will be punished and accountability will be fixed. I'm here to ensure that proper medical aid is provided to injured.”
The gathering of people close to tracks near Amritsar where a train mowed down Dussehra revellers was a "clear case of trespassing" and no permission for the event had been given by the railways, a senior official told PTI.
Seeking to shift the blame for the tragedy on the Amritsar administration, official sources said the local authorities were aware about the Dussehra programme and that it was attended a senior minister's wife.
"We're not kept in the loop and we provided no permission for the event. It is a clear case of trespassing and the local administration should take responsibility," the railway official said.
“The tragedy is so grave that Amritsar may fall short of space in mortuaries to keep the bodies.”
According to an Indian Express report, two trains crossed the area within a few seconds of each other, killing the people who were standing on the tracks. Quoting a senior railway official, the report states that the first train 74643 Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU encountered maximum casualties.
The second train, 13006 Amritsar-Howrah Express, sped past by a few seconds later on the adjoining track, killing those who had jumped on to it to escape the first train.
"People need to be more alert; they must not trespass on railway tracks," he added. People were watching the Ravana effigy burning from the tracks which are on a height to get a better view.
Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu met the injured and families of the victims at Amritsar’s Civil Hospital. In a statement, Sidhu said, “it was a sad and an unfortunate incident, but it is necessary to understand that it was an accident. There has been negligence but it was never intentional or motivated.”
He added: “The accident occurred within a matter of seconds as the train came at a high speed. The train did not blow the horn. CM has ordered an investigation into the incident.”
Eight trains have been cancelled, five have been diverted, 10 trains short-terminated and 5 trains short-originated today following the accident last night, ANI reported.
Punjab Police officials told IANS that the DMU (diesel multiple unit) driver had been detained at the Ludhiana railway station and was being questioned regarding the incident.
According to IANS, the driver claimed that he was given green signal and all clear and had no idea that hundreds of people were standing on the tracks when the train crossed the area.
No action has so far been initiated against the organisers of the event, who are leaders of the ruling Congress in Punjab. Police sources said that the organisers had gone underground.
Railway officials were also gathering information from the railway linemen posted along the tracks near the Jora Phatak area who failed to inform the DMU driver regarding the presence of over 700 people on the railway tracks.
(IANS)
He told PTI that the accident occurred at a stretch between two stations - Amritsar and Manawala - and not at a level crossing.
Lohani added that the gateman was 400 metres away at a level crossing. He also said that if the driver had applied emergency breaks, there could have been a bigger tragedy.
He said that the train was running at its assigned speed and initial reports suggest that the driver applied brakes and the train slowed down.
"There was no information and no permission sought from us. The event was at a place adjoining the railway land in private property," he said, adding that people had trespassed on to the railway line.
One Dalbir Singh, who played the role of Ravan in a Ramlila in Amritsar during Dussehra celebrations, died in the train accident yesterday, ANI reported.
His mother appealed to the government to provide a job to her deceased’s son wife.
"I appeal to the government to provide a job to my daughter-in law. She also has a 8-month old baby," she was quoted by ANI as saying.
Eyewitnesses who live near the site of the accident recalled the events leading up to the train incident.
While the Ravan effigy was being burnt the people who lived in homes across the railway tracks stood on it to watch. Two trains were involved in the accident, eyewitnesses told The Quint.
"First a train came from Amritsar railway station. The speed was slow so people moved out of the way. Then the second train that came was very fast and people didn't have time to move," an eyewitness said. Onlookers corroborated the account.
In Amritsar Civil Hospital, the mood is one of mourning as it is in the state. Of the 61 dead, 39 bodies are here.
“I have lost my sister, brother-in-law and my nephews,” a grieving man told the Quint, while standing outside the post-mortem room in Amritsar civil hospital.
Ten mail express trains and 27 passenger trains have been cancelled in Amritsar. Sixteen trains have been diverted, while ten mail express trains and 2 passenger trains short terminated, ANI reported.
Russia President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to the victims of the train accident.
“I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy and support to families and friends of those killed and wish soonest recovery to those injured,” he said.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh arrived in Amritsar on Saturday to take stock of the situation. He was briefed on the relief and rehabilitation measures taken in the wake of the accident.
Harinder Yadav, a migrant labourer from Bihar told The Quint about the grim situation after the tragedy.
“We are all disturbed. We have not eaten anything and we feel very uneasy,” he said, while waiting to receive the body of his family member.
The family of 13-year-old boy who died in the train accident staged a protest with his body at Amritsar-Jalandhar highway, demanding compensation for their loss.
In his address to the media a day after the accident, he announced that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and a report will be furnished within four weeks.
“59 people killed and 57 people were injured in the incident. We will try that postmortem of the bodies are done as soon as possible. We have identified most of the bodies except 9,” CM Singh said.
He also ordered an immediate release of Rs 3 crore to DC Amritsar for payment of ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. Rs 5 lakh has been promised to the family of those killed, medical treatment will be free of cost as well.
“It’s a tragedy we are in grief. The inquiry will find out who is at fault, we cannot blame anybody let the report come,” CM Singh added.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh visited the site of the accident around noon on 20 October.
My heart goes to all in Amritsar following Friday’s tragic accident. Earlier this month, I was honoured to visit the Golden Temple and witnessed the warmth and generosity of the people. My deepest condolences to those who have lost family and loved ones.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 19, 2018
Northern Railways said in a statement that the railway track is separated by a boundary wall from public ground at the site of the accident, ANI reported.
“Gate No. C-27 is a manned level crossing gate and it was closed for road traffic for passing the above DMU train. It is further informed that there is about 2.5 meter high brick wall between the railway track and the Ravan Dahan site,” the statement read.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Daljeet Singh reverted that police had no objections for the same.
There were vacant seats at Dhobi Ghat ground. Ravan was tied securely & there were no chances of it falling down & creating chaos. There was no stampede. Announcements were made 4-5 times asking people to come inside Dhobi Ghat ground.Navjot Kaur Sidhu
Were there one or two trains involved in the accident? The first train, passed the area at a slow pace, which people saw, and moved away from. The train was moving at a slow pace because it had just started moving from the Amritsar station.
Less than two and a half minutes later, according to Northern Railways officials, the second train, a DMU from Jalandhar to Amritsar passed at a high speed, and people were unable to see it, and were hit as a result.
Shivala Railway Crossing vandalised by unidentified persons last night after the Amritsar train accident, ANI reported. Jaspal Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Government Railway Police, said, "The window panes were vandalised last night. We found it today. The cabin man was also thrashed.”
It is an unpardonable negligence. Strong action should be taken. It is a mass massacre.Sukhbir Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has directed Home Secretary NS Kalsi to prepare detailed guidelines for permission to hold religious and social congregations, in order to prevent the kind of tragedy that struck Amritsar during Dussehra celebrations yesterday, ANI reported.
Mass cremations of those who lost their lives in the Amritsar train accident are currently underway at Shaheeda Sahib.
Badal also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore per person and government jobs for the families of those killed in the tragic train accident here.
Badal demanded immediate dismissal of Punjab minster Navjot Singh Sidhu from the cabinet besides registration of a fresh FIR against his family based on statements of the victims.
Speaking to The Quint, one of the missing people’s kin lamented their loss, asking how they would find their son. Listen in.
The situation at the accident site remains tense with locals claiming that they feel ignored by the government.
Municipal corporation councillor Vijay Madan and her son Sourabh Madan Mithu, the main organisers of the Dussehra celebration in Amritsar where at least 59 people were run over by a passing train, have gone underground with other family members, PTI reported.
According to police, a few people angry over the accident attacked their residence, broke window panes and pelted stones on Saturday.
“The incident was not a railways’ fault. There was no lapse on our part and no action against the driver will be initiated. People should refrain from organising such events near tracks in future. I think if precaution had been taken, the accident could have been avertedManoj Sinha, MoS Railways
The Punjab Police has deployed its personnel, including commandoes, to manage the crowd. The Rapid Action Force is also present in the Joda Patak area.
Protesters were chased away by police at Joda Phatak after they pelted stones when the police asked them to clear the railway tracks where they were sitting in protest.
One security personnel has been injured.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed Amritsar District Commissoner and Commissioner of Police to make a detailed socio-economic profile of each victim, reported ANI.
Around 1,400-1,500 Punjab police officers have been deployed to control the crowd. Additionally, Punjab police commandos and rapid action force have also been deployed.
Speaking to The Quint, Sub-Divisonal Magistrate (SDM) Amritsar Rajesh Sharma said, “Law and order situation is under control and all the passenger trains and goods trains will continue operations.”
And approximate 43 hours a goods train passes Joda Phatak amidst heavy security. The locals were locked in and kept from going close to the tracks. One by one they come out after hearing the siren of the train.@TheQuint pic.twitter.com/NWh2YZVY8A
— Aishwarya S Iyer (@iyersaishwarya) October 21, 2018
“There is a certain process, and permission was given for events at 20 places. Police gave conditional permissions for events at 20 places including the Dhobi Ghat area... We gave permission for a certain event in a certain area. Now obviously there is no permission to be on the tracks or anything. The lapses are under inquiry. We had security for the whole city, including the main venue and the function venue.”SS Shrivastava, as quoted by ANI
A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital in Amritsar on Sunday, 21 October, taking the death toll to 62, PTI reported.
Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening. However, the death could not be confirmed from the district authorities.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said 59 people died in the tragedy, while Amritsar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Sharma put the toll at 61 on that day.
Locals on Sunday, 21 October, came out hard against the statement of the driver who has said that the Dussehra revellers at the spot of the accident had pelted stones at the train.
"I was at the spot. Leave alone stopping, the train did not even slow down. It seemed as if the driver wanted to mow us down. The train passed us in a matter of seconds. Is it logically possible for us to pelt stones at the train when so many people were dead and injured around us? Is it possible for us to get our bearings after such an incident and pelt stones at a speeding train? The driver is lying," Shailender Singh Shally, Councillor, Ward Number 46, Amritsar, said, PTI reported.
One person was arrested and around 40 others, mostly unidentified, were booked for clashing with security forces and pelting them with stones at the train accident site in Amritsar, police said on Sunday, 21 October.
The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab on Sunday, 21 October, demanded immediate sacking of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and a judicial probe into the circumstances that led to the train accident near a Dussehra event in Amritsar in which at least 59 people died.
During a core committee meeting of the party, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also sought registration of murder cases against Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the chief guest at the event, and organisers of the function, holding them responsible for the accident.
The trains started operating Sunday evening at Amritsar’s Choura Bazar, two days after tragedy struck, where more than 60 people were killed after being run over by a train on October 19. The operations continued on Monday, 22 October as well.
Operations resumed at Amritsar's Choura Bazar on Sunday evening where over 60 people were killed and over 50 were injured after being run over by a train on 19 October.
Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha, said the Railways hadn’t giver permission for the event.
“I believe that the statement of Amritsar Police Commissioner must be an authorised statement of Punjab government. He said that we (Railways) didn't give any permission regarding the event,” he said.
A petition has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court to set up a CBI enquiry or form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the Amritsar train accident on 19 October .
Amritsar Accident: Organiser Says Permissions Were Taken for Event
“They are on mission coverup, there is no remorse, no regret and no seriousness in the Punjab government. The CM is abroad, senior leaders who organised the event ran away after the accident... It is very unfortunate.”Sukhbir Badal, SAD to ANI
“The railway engine, police, guards, tracks... belong to Centre and FIR has also been lodged by the Centre. The driver was given clean chit* within six hours... why his name hasn’t been revealed? Is it possible when a train is approaching guards can’t see it?”Navjot Sidhu, Congress, to ANI
The NHRC on Monday issued notices to the Railways and the Punjab government over the Amritsar accident in which 62 Dussehra revellers were killed when they were run over by a train while watching the festivities.
Issuing the notices, the Commission observed that it cannot be said to be a "sane act" by people to sit on railway tracks, but at the same time, the "negligence on the part of the district authorities is apparent" behind this "bizarre and horrific incident".
(PTI)
A complaint case was filed on Monday against Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife, seeking registration of a case against her for failing to discharge her duties that led to the death of nearly 60 people in a train accident in Amritsar on Friday.
The complaint claimed that Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at a Dussehra function in Amritsar, and the organisers were solely responsible for the incident and the court should therefore take cognizance of the matter and order a trial against her. Four persons from Bihar were killed in the tragic incident.
(PTI)
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal returned from the US on Monday, two days after 62 Dussehra revellers watching the burning of a Ravana effigy on the tracks near Amritsar were mowed down by a train.
"The minister had rushed to the airport but there were no tickets available. He really tried his best to get back. In the meantime, he has been briefing us, guiding us and monitoring the situation on the ground continuously," a senior official said.
Upon his return early on Monday, Goyal participated in an event organised by NITI Aayog.
(PTI)
Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu announced that he would adopt all the children who had lost their parents.
"In my personal capacity I and my wife hereby announce the adoption of all the children who have lost their parents. Their education in good institutions and all other expenses will be borne by us. Women who have lost their husbands will also be extended all required finical help," Sidhu said.
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