Amritsar Train Accident: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Orders Probe; Railway Minister Piyush Goyal Returning Immediately From US
At least 60 people were killed and 72 injured Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers, who had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of a Ravana effigy, was run over by a train in Amritsar.
Amritsar, October 19: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has ordered a probe into the fatal train accident in Amritsar which has claimed at least 60 lives so far. Capt Amarinder has also formed a special group of ministers to oversee the relief operation.
"Punjab CM has set up a Crisis Management Group to monitor the relief and rehabilitation efforts. The Group is led by Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, with Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Technical Education Min Charanjit S Channi as members. The team has rushed to the accident site," said the statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office. Amritsar Train Accident Video: Watch The Moment When DMU Train 74943 Struck People Watching Dussehra Celebrations.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has also cancelled all his engagements in the United States, where he was on an official visit. Goyal is heading back to India on immediate basis to take stock of the situation in Amritsar.
"May God give strength to the bereaved and injured. Railways is proving all possible assistance at the site. I have cancelled all engagements in USA and immediately returning back to India," Goyal tweeted, hours after the accident.
At least 60 people were killed and 72 injured Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers, who had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of a Ravana effigy, was run over by a train in Amritsar.
Railways has issued helpline numbers — 0183-2223171, 0183-2564485 — for information on the incident.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are also rushing to the spot. They were to leave in an Indian Air Force plane tonight.
(With agency inputs)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 19, 2018 10:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).