Death toll raises to 60 in Amritsar Train Accident

By Odisha News Insight Last updated Oct 20, 2018 5,703

ONI Bureau: The death toll from Amritsar train accident has risen to 60 on Friday after a train ran into a crowd who were watching the burning of Ravan’s effigy in Punjab’s Amritsar.

Dussehra celebration turned tragic for many families in Amritsar yesterday when the MEMU train that was coming from Jalandhar met with the accident at Joda Phatak near Amritsar, where at least 300 people were watching ‘Ravana dahan’ at a ground touching to the railway tracks.

As per Northern Railways official report, Amritsar-Howrah Mail had passed the same spot two minutes before the accident occurred and the effigy was being burnt less than 100 metres from the railway tracks.

Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh visited Amandeep Hospital in Amritsar where injured have been admitted and announced Rs 5 lakh aid to kin of the persons who died in the accident. All offices & educational institutions closed in Punjab as the state remains in mourning today.

As many as 10 Mail Express trains & 27 passenger trains cancelled, 16 trains diverted, 10 Mail Express trains & 2 passenger trains short terminated and 6 Mail Express trains short originated. Currently, train services between Amrtisar-Manawala railway sections are suspended.

Railways issued helpline numbers for assistance in Amritsar train accident. The numbers are 0183-2223171 & 0183-2564485.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered condolences to President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Amritsar Train Accident.