Train crashes into crowd in India, 59 people dead
The victims stood on the tracks to watch the festival and did not notice when the train was coming, leading to the tragedy.
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| Crowds gathered for the festival spilled onto the tracks. Photo: EPA |
At least 59 people were killed and 100 injured after a train plowed into a crowd near the city of Amritsar in India's Punjab state,BBCreported. Among the dead were children.
The victims were standing on the railway tracks watching performances at a Hindu festival. They did not hear the train coming, apparently distracted by the fireworks and the noise they made.
Some reports said organizers asked spectators to back away from the pyrotechnic effigy, leading them to stand on the tracks. Others said the crowd stood on the tracks out of fear the pyrotechnic effigy would catch fire and collapse.
According to witnesses, many people standing on the tracks were so engrossed in filming the festival on their phones that they did not notice the train coming at high speed. The train crashed into the crowd moving from Jalandhar to Amritsar. "I was the one who took the bodies off the tracks... My hands were covered in blood," said witness Amar Nath.
Amit Kumar, a local resident, said it is a regular occurrence for people to sit or stand on the tracks to watch the festival.
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The body of a victim on the railway tracks in Amritsar city after the accident. Photo:AP. |
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described the incident as a "tragedy". "We will do everything in our power to assist the injured," he said. "I have asked the district administration to take care of everyone and ensure the best medical care is provided to the victims."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident. The death toll is likely to rise.
