Amritsar train accident LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a financial relief of Rs 2 lakh for the family of each deceased in the Amritsar train accident and Rs 50,000 for the injured. At least 52 people were killed and 72 others after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train.
A crisis management group under Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra has been set up to monitor relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Punjab government ordered state mourning. All offices and educational institutions to remain closed on Saturday in wake of Amritsar train tragedy.
Former cabinet minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has demanded dismissal of Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Two hours after the incident, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal reacted on Twitter saying that he was deeply saddened and shocked by the incident.
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu reacted to reports that his wife was the chief guest at the event. "My wife is visiting the injured at the hospital. One should understand, nobody causes such incidents intentionally. I urge people to not politicise the issue. At this time, everyone needs to come together and share the grief."
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said that his government will grant Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and ensure free treatment of the injured.
About 50 people are feared dead after a train ran into several people standing on railway tracks to watch the burning of a Ravana effigy in Amritsar's Joda Phatak on Friday.
The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar. At least 300 people were at the spot watching 'Ravana dahan', sources told PTI.
ADCP Lakhbir Singh said 15 bodies have been found.
The toll is likely to rise, he said. Further details are awaited.
With inputs from agencies
Updated Date: Oct 20, 2018 00:07:15 IST
Highlights
Army reaches spot for relief and rescue operation
Video by Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
Train which mowed at least 61 reaches Ludhiana
Amritsar-Howrah (Punjab) Mail that had run over many people in Amritsar city reached Ludhiana at around 11pm. Railway authorities took pictures of the train and also questioned the driver regarding the incident that has killed over 50 people. It is learnt that the driver has told the authorities that he was not able to see the crowd on the rail tracks from a distance.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Congress MP from Amritsar assures action against guilty
Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla is at Civil Hospital, where the injured have been admitted. He said that a probe will be conducted into the incident. "Action will be taken against those found guilty, even if it is Navjot Kaur Sidhu," he said.
Centre to provide Rs 2 lakh to families of deceased
Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a financial relief of Rs 2 lakh for the family of each deceased in the Amritsar train accident and Rs 50,000 for the injured, a spokesperson told PTI.
Amarinder Singh to reach Amritsar on Saturday
District administration of Amritsar advises Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to not visit city on Friday as it could divert the attention being given to relief and rehabilitation work. Singh will reach Amritsar on Saturday. Meanwhile, an official 5-day tour of the chief minister to Israel that was scheduled on 21 October has also been postponed.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Watch: Scenes from outside Civil Hospital in Amritsar
By Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
'Mishap took place after people ran towards rail tracks during stampede'
Raveen Thukral, media advisor to the Punjab chief minister has said that as per initial reports, mishap occured during a stampede as people rushed towards the rail tracks when crackers in effigies were burnt and they were run over by speeding train.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Priority is to give best possible medical assistance to the injured: Northern Railways CPRO tells Firstpost
When asked whether any probe will be conducted by Northern Railways, Deepak Kumar — CPRO, Nothern Railways — told Firstpost: "The Minister of State for Railways, along with Railway Board chairman and other senior officials, are on their way to the accident site. Any announcement on any enquiry can be given only by them."
He also said that the railways was not responsible for the mishap. Kumar also said that the railways will decide on compensation later.
"The question of compensation doesn't arise immediately because the priority is to give the best possible medical assistance to the injured as of now. The railways would decide on compensation later," Kumar said.
Punjab govt forms crisis management group
A crisis management roup under Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra has been set up to monitor relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Technical Education Minister Charanjit S Channi will be members of the group.The team has rushed to the accident site.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Watch: Injured receive treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital
By Navdeep Ahluwalia/101Reporters
Punjab announces state mourning
Punjab government ordered state mourning. All offices and educational institutions to remain closed on Saturday in wake of Amritsar train tragedy.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Local Army establishment offers help in rescue and relief operations
By Gursimran Singh, 101Reporters
Piyush Goyal cancels engagements in US, rushes to India
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that he has cancelled all engagement in US and is returning to India.
Hospitals face shortage of blood
There is a shortage of blood at the hospitals where the injured have been brought. NGOs are appealing to the people to donate blood.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Minister Of State Railways Manoj Sinha rushes to Amritsar, reports ANI
Harsimrat Kaur Badal says incident casts serious question on administration
Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, "There are not enough words to mourn the Amritsar train tragedy that claims so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it casts serious question on administration."
Several Dussehra event attendees missing
Many people are still searching for their missing relatives, who had come to witness Dussehra event.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she left the Dussehra event when accident took place
"The effigy of Ravana was burnt and I had just left the site when the incident happened. Priority is to get the injured treated. Dussehra celebrations are held there every year. People who are doing politics over this incident should be ashamed," said Navjot Kaur Sidhu.
Several bodies still lying on railway tracks
Around 40 to 45 dead bodies have arrived at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital while several are reportedly still lying on railway lines. Amritsar deputy commissioner has asked all hospitals including military hospital to provide free treatment to the injured who are brought in the respective hospitals.
Many children of in age group of 6-10 have also died during the accident. Eyewitnesses say some children died even in stampede caused after the accident.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
50 confirmed dead
Sub Divisional Magistrate of Amritsar Rajesh Sharma has confirmed that 50 bodies have been found.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Navjot Singh Sidhu says wife visiting injured at hospital
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said that he will rush back to Amritsar from Bengaluru. Speaking to India Today, he said, "I have spokes to the deputy commission. There will be an investigation.
On reports that his wife was the chief guest at the event, he said, "My wife is visiting the injured at the hospital. One should understand, nobody causes such incidents intentionally. I urge people to not politicise the issue. At this time, everyone needs to come together and share the grief."
No confirmation if Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was at Dussehra event at time of incident
Navjot Kaur Sidhu along with area councillors was present at the spot as guests at the Dussehra function. But it is so far not confirmed whether they left before the incident or not.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Narendra Modi directs officials to provide immediate assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet, "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."
Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was chief guest at Dussehra event
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was the chief guest at the Dussehra event. An eyewitness told ANI that celebrations were organised by the Congress near the railways tracks without permission.
Death toll could be between 100-150, says Punjab minister
Punjab minister OP Soni says that death toll could be between 100-150. But no confirmed figure was given as the bodies are still scattered in the area.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Injured being treated at hospital
In the wake of the tragic rail accident, the Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed home secretary, health secretary and ADGP law and order to immediately rush to Amritsar.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
Police says over 50 casualties likely
A police official said that there were over 50 casualties in the incident. "We are assessing the situation and evacuating people from the site. The injured have been taken to the hospital," he said.
Officials confirm 30 deaths in Amritsar tragedy
Train was travellling a fast speed during incident, says eyewitness
An eyewitness said that a train travelling at a fast speed ran over several people during Dussehra celebrations, in Choura Bazar near Amritsar.
People were watching Dussehra celebrations from tracks when mishap took place
The Ravana effigy was being burnt as part of Dussehra celebrations near the railway tracks. Locals were watching the celebrations from the railway tracks when a train ran into them.
LIVE NEWS and UPDATES
00:07 (IST)
Army reaches spot for relief and rescue operation
Video by Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
23:55 (IST)
Train which mowed at least 61 reaches Ludhiana
Amritsar-Howrah (Punjab) Mail that had run over many people in Amritsar city reached Ludhiana at around 11pm. Railway authorities took pictures of the train and also questioned the driver regarding the incident that has killed over 50 people. It is learnt that the driver has told the authorities that he was not able to see the crowd on the rail tracks from a distance.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
23:03 (IST)
22:59 (IST)
Congress MP from Amritsar assures action against guilty
Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla is at Civil Hospital, where the injured have been admitted. He said that a probe will be conducted into the incident. "Action will be taken against those found guilty, even if it is Navjot Kaur Sidhu," he said.
22:55 (IST)
Centre to provide Rs 2 lakh to families of deceased
Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a financial relief of Rs 2 lakh for the family of each deceased in the Amritsar train accident and Rs 50,000 for the injured, a spokesperson told PTI.
22:53 (IST)
Amarinder Singh to reach Amritsar on Saturday
District administration of Amritsar advises Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to not visit city on Friday as it could divert the attention being given to relief and rehabilitation work. Singh will reach Amritsar on Saturday. Meanwhile, an official 5-day tour of the chief minister to Israel that was scheduled on 21 October has also been postponed.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
22:51 (IST)
Watch: Scenes from outside Civil Hospital in Amritsar
By Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
22:41 (IST)
'Mishap took place after people ran towards rail tracks during stampede'
Raveen Thukral, media advisor to the Punjab chief minister has said that as per initial reports, mishap occured during a stampede as people rushed towards the rail tracks when crackers in effigies were burnt and they were run over by speeding train.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
22:29 (IST)
Priority is to give best possible medical assistance to the injured: Northern Railways CPRO tells Firstpost
When asked whether any probe will be conducted by Northern Railways, Deepak Kumar — CPRO, Nothern Railways — told Firstpost: "The Minister of State for Railways, along with Railway Board chairman and other senior officials, are on their way to the accident site. Any announcement on any enquiry can be given only by them."
He also said that the railways was not responsible for the mishap. Kumar also said that the railways will decide on compensation later.
"The question of compensation doesn't arise immediately because the priority is to give the best possible medical assistance to the injured as of now. The railways would decide on compensation later," Kumar said.
22:28 (IST)
MoS Railways Manoj Sinha speaks on train tragedy
22:27 (IST)
22:21 (IST)
Punjab govt forms crisis management group
A crisis management roup under Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra has been set up to monitor relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Technical Education Minister Charanjit S Channi will be members of the group.The team has rushed to the accident site.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
22:17 (IST)
Watch: Injured receive treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital
By Navdeep Ahluwalia/101Reporters
22:15 (IST)
Eyewitnesses say train did not stop after running over people
22:00 (IST)
Railways issues helpline numbers for Amritsar accident
21:58 (IST)
Relatives of injured at Civil Hospital
Input by Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
21:57 (IST)
Punjab announces state mourning
Punjab government ordered state mourning. All offices and educational institutions to remain closed on Saturday in wake of Amritsar train tragedy.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
21:56 (IST)
Local Army establishment offers help in rescue and relief operations
By Gursimran Singh, 101Reporters
21:55 (IST)
Northern Railway spokesperson says only one train was passing at the time of incident
"Operations in-charge at the accident site in Amritsar has told me that only one train was passing from the area. We have issued helpline numbers," said Northern Railway spokesperson.
21:52 (IST)
Piyush Goyal cancels engagements in US, rushes to India
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that he has cancelled all engagement in US and is returning to India.
21:42 (IST)
Hospitals face shortage of blood
There is a shortage of blood at the hospitals where the injured have been brought. NGOs are appealing to the people to donate blood.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
21:39 (IST)
Situation at hospital 'very serious', says Amritsar deputy commissioner
Firstpost tried contacting Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, deputy commissioner of Amritsar. Sangha was in a hospital and said that the situation there was "very serious".
21:33 (IST)
Visuals from Civil Hospital
21:32 (IST)
Minister Of State Railways Manoj Sinha rushes to Amritsar, reports ANI
21:31 (IST)
Harsimrat Kaur Badal says incident casts serious question on administration
Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, "There are not enough words to mourn the Amritsar train tragedy that claims so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it casts serious question on administration."
21:29 (IST)
Several Dussehra event attendees missing
Many people are still searching for their missing relatives, who had come to witness Dussehra event.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
21:25 (IST)
Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she left the Dussehra event when accident took place
"The effigy of Ravana was burnt and I had just left the site when the incident happened. Priority is to get the injured treated. Dussehra celebrations are held there every year. People who are doing politics over this incident should be ashamed," said Navjot Kaur Sidhu.
21:22 (IST)
Blood donors can approach Civil Hospital, Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar.
21:20 (IST)
Several bodies still lying on railway tracks
Around 40 to 45 dead bodies have arrived at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital while several are reportedly still lying on railway lines. Amritsar deputy commissioner has asked all hospitals including military hospital to provide free treatment to the injured who are brought in the respective hospitals.
Many children of in age group of 6-10 have also died during the accident. Eyewitnesses say some children died even in stampede caused after the accident.
By Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
21:18 (IST)
Watch: Amarinder Singh's statement over Amritsar train accident
Video procured by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
21:15 (IST)
SAD leader demands dismissal of Navjot Singh Sidhu
Former cabinet minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has demanded dismissal of Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. He further sought the registeration of a case against those who allowed organising a Dussehra function along side a busy railway line.
21:09 (IST)
At least 70 people hospitalised in 'critical condition'
"We have received 70 people in critical condition. We are monitoring the situation closely. Around 10 dead bodies also received at hospital", Surinder Pal, Medical Superintendent, Government Medical College, Amritsar said.
By Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
21:05 (IST)
50 confirmed dead
Sub Divisional Magistrate of Amritsar Rajesh Sharma has confirmed that 50 bodies have been found.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
21:02 (IST)
Piyush Goyal says Railways conducting immediate relief operations
"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," Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet.
21:01 (IST)
Navjot Singh Sidhu says wife visiting injured at hospital
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said that he will rush back to Amritsar from Bengaluru. Speaking to India Today, he said, "I have spokes to the deputy commission. There will be an investigation.
On reports that his wife was the chief guest at the event, he said, "My wife is visiting the injured at the hospital. One should understand, nobody causes such incidents intentionally. I urge people to not politicise the issue. At this time, everyone needs to come together and share the grief."
20:53 (IST)
No confirmation if Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was at Dussehra event at time of incident
Navjot Kaur Sidhu along with area councillors was present at the spot as guests at the Dussehra function. But it is so far not confirmed whether they left before the incident or not.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
20:51 (IST)
Centre ready to provide assistance at this hour of grief, says Rajnath Singh
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he spoke to the Punjab home secretary and the DGP over the train accident. "Centre is ready to provide all possible assistance to the state at this hour of grief," he said.
20:48 (IST)
Narendra Modi directs officials to provide immediate assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet, "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."
20:45 (IST)
Ram Nath Kovind reacts to train accident
20:44 (IST)
Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was chief guest at Dussehra event
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was the chief guest at the Dussehra event. An eyewitness told ANI that celebrations were organised by the Congress near the railways tracks without permission.
20:41 (IST)
Watch: Police conduct rescue operation in Joda Phatak
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
20:37 (IST)
Death toll could be between 100-150, says Punjab minister
Punjab minister OP Soni says that death toll could be between 100-150. But no confirmed figure was given as the bodies are still scattered in the area.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
20:35 (IST)
Amarinder Singh rushes to Amritsar to 'personally supervise' relief operations
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said in a tweet that his government will grant Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and ensure free treatment of the injured.
20:27 (IST)
Injured being treated at hospital
In the wake of the tragic rail accident, the Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed home secretary, health secretary and ADGP law and order to immediately rush to Amritsar.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
20:23 (IST)
Rescue ops hampered by lack of floodlights
The rescue operation is getting hampered as the authorities have not arranged any floodlights to search the bodies and injured who were thrown by the speeding trains. Video camera lights and mobile phones are being used to search for bodies.
Eyewitnesses say people were not able to hear the speeding train due to the noise of burning crackers in the effigies.
Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters
20:21 (IST)
Northern Railway spokesperson says railway gates were closed at the time of incident
20:20 (IST)
Reports say two trains caused tragedy
According to some reports, there were two trains coming from opposite directions on two lines. One was Howrah Mail and theother was Amritsar-Jalandhar DMU.
20:17 (IST)
20:15 (IST)
Watch: Train runs over Dussehra revellers
20:10 (IST)
Jalandar Express was coming from Pathankot, reports India Today