Army reaches spot for relief and rescue operation
Video by Gursimran Singh/101Reporters
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.
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.
#Amritsar: MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla who is present at Civil Hospital, says, "probe will be conducted into the incident, action will be taken against those found guilty, even if it is Navjot Kaur Sidhu." pic.twitter.com/did5IJmFrG
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018
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
'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.
MoS Railways Manoj Sinha speaks on train tragedy
Medical teams are rushing to the spot. I am also leaving for the site of the accident. As per initial information, people present near the railway track couldn't hear the sound of the approaching train due bursting crackers: MoS Railways Manoj Sinha on #Amritsar train accident pic.twitter.com/5R3cZiL22N
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018
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
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