Dussehra celebrations turned into a tragedy in Amritsar last evening after a moving train rammed into over 70 people, who were sitting on the track watching the Ravana effigy burn. Recent reports claim that the death toll in this train mishap has exceeded 60 and over 72 people are injured and are being treated in the hospital.?
Agencies
Another heartbreaking detail that has just dropped in from Amritsar is how this incident also killed the man who essayed the role of demon king Ravana at a Ramlila event in the city.
ANI
ANI quoted her as saying, ¡°I urge the government to provide a job to my daughter-in-law. She also has am 8-month old baby."
Police officials claim that the role of the train driver, railway officials, and local authorities, who gave permission for holding of the event close to the railway tracks, is being probed. The eyewitnesses present at the spot later told that victims were either watching the Dussehra celebrations or were holding their mobile phones and recording the event.?
Agencies
Reports claim that over 700 people were watching the celebrations amid exploding crackers at the Jora Phatak near Dhobi Ghat within Amritsar city when the Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU passenger train coming to Amritsar from Hoshiarpur came hurtling down around 7 pm.?
Agencies
In just 10-15 seconds, the train left behind a heap of crushed and dismembered bodies. Victims were so busy with the celebrations and the noise of the firecrackers during the burning effigy prevented them from hearing the approaching train.?
The state government has declared a state mourning on Saturday and all offices and educational institutions have been declared close in order to mark of respect to those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.