Amritsar train accident updates: 58 dead; Narendra Modi approves aid of Rs 2 lakh for kin of deceased

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

Train services on Jalandhar-Amritsar route suspended

All services on Jalandhar-Amritsar route remained suspended three hours after Dussehra revellers standing across railway tracks were mowed down by a train near Amritsar Friday evening, a railway official said.

While some trains are being diverted, many are stationed near Jalandhar, he said.

PTI

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.

MoS Railways Manoj Sinha speaks on train tragedy

Toll rises to 52

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, officials said.

These numbers can be used reach for information on the incident — 01832223171 and 01832564485.

MoS Manoj Sinha, Chairman Railway Board Ashwani Lohani, GM/NR Vishwesh Chaubey will take off from Delhi by an Air Force plane at 11pm.

PTI

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

Eyewitnesses say train did not stop after running over people

Railways issues helpline numbers for Amritsar accident

Relatives of injured at Civil Hospital

Input by Gursimran Singh/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

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.

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

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”.

Visuals from Civil Hospital

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.

Blood donors can approach Civil Hospital, Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar. 

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

Watch: Amarinder Singh’s statement over Amritsar train accident

Video procured by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters

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.

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

50 confirmed dead

Sub Divisional Magistrate of Amritsar Rajesh Sharma has confirmed that 50 bodies have been found.

Input by Arjun Sharma/101Reporters

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.

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

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.

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.”

Ram Nath Kovind reacts to train accident

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.