Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Crowds celebrate Hindu festival near Amritsar

At least 59 people have been killed and dozens more injured by a train running into a crowd near Amritsar in India's northern Punjab state.

The victims were standing on the railway tracks watching celebrations for Dusshera, a Hindu festival, when a train hit them at high speed on Friday.

It is not clear who, if anyone, had given permission for the event and officials are trading blame.

An inquiry into the incident has been ordered by the Punjab authorities.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "heart-wrenching".

Families of victims held an angry protest on the tracks on Saturday.

How did it happen?

A large crowd had gathered to watch a celebration symbolising the triumph of the Hindu god Rama over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

The event involved the burning of a firecracker-filled effigy of Ravana and a fireworks display.

At one point, some of the crowd moved on to some railway tracks a short distance away, with some reports citing organisers' safety concerns about the effigy.

According to eyewitnesses, many on the tracks had been busy filming the festivities on their phones at the time so did not hear or see the train approaching at high speed.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Children are reported to be among those killed by the train

The train that hit the crowds was travelling from Jalandhar to Amritsar.

Hardeep Singh, chief medical officer for Amritsar, said on Saturday that at least 59 people had been killed by the train and 90 others injured.

Officials have warned identification of all the victims could take several days.

Eyewitness Amar Nath told BBC Punjabi that people had been "mauled" by the train.

"I removed the bodies from the tracks... my hands were full of blood."

Who is being blamed ?

The exact circumstances are not yet clear.

On Saturday scores of victims' families gathered at the tracks, criticising the state government and demanding action against the train's driver.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Family members mourned at the first funerals for victims on Saturday

Ordering the inquiry, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described the incident as "absolutely tragic".

He said officials would do "everything possible" to assist the injured.

Ashwani Lohani, the chairman of the Railway Board, said it was "wrong" to hold the railways responsible for what had happened because they had not been made aware of the event, and people "are not expected to be on the tracks".

But local residents have told media the effigy burning is a regular local event there for every Dusshera.

"I've been seeing this event every Dusshera from here and this has never happened before, the railways should have stopped or slowed down the train," Deep Kumari, who was watching from her home, told Reuters news agency.

Image copyright EPA Image caption The incident happened as crowds were celebrating a Hindu festival

The deadly accident has renewed criticism of India's state rail system, which has a notoriously poor safety record.

A state of mourning was declared in Punjab with offices and schools staying closed on Saturday as the first funerals for identified victims took place.

He also announced compensation for the families of the dead and injured victims.</s>Amritsar, Oct 20: Congress leader and Punjab Minsiter Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday (October 20) visited those injured in the Amritsar train accident. Sidhu, who visited Civil Hospital in Amritsar, said "the train did not blow the horn".

Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani had earlier said the driver blew the horn and tried to apply the brakes

Hundreds of people had gathered at Joda Phatak in Amritsar for Dussehra celebrations on Friday evening when a train coming from Jalandhar ran over a crowd standing on the tracks.

 61 people were killed and over 50 were injured.

"The accident occurred within a matter minutes when the train came at a high speed. The train did not blow the horn. CM has ordered an investigation into the incident," Sidhu said.

"It was a sad and an unfortunate incident. It is necessary to understand that it was an accident. There has been negligence but it was never intentional or motivated," he added.

The Indian Railways has said that the Amritsar mishap happened because of trespassing, adding that the trains move on those track regularly. Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani said the driver of the train, which mowed down 61 people, blew the horn and tried to apply the brakes, but the train needs 625 metres to come to a halt .

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday ordered an inquiry into the tragic Amritsar train accident.

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, as per PTI report.

[Bloody Friday: How the horrific Amritsar train accident that killed 61 take place]

Eighttrains have been cancelled, 5 trains diverted, 10 trains short-terminated and 5 trains short-originated today following Amritsar Train Accident between Amritsar & Manawala, reported ANI.</s>More than 50 people reportedly were killed Friday when a train plowed through revelers who had gathered on the outskirts of the northern Indian city of Amritsar for the Hindu celebration of Dussehra marking the triumph of good over evil.

Witnesses told media outlets that as crowds spilled onto the train tracks, the booming of fireworks and the general celebratory din may have masked the sound of the oncoming train.

Video posted to Twitter shows flames consuming a huge effigy of the demon king Ravana amid deafening crackling. Spectators, some recording with their cellphones, stand with their heads tilted up. Then a train barrels through.

The commuter train was traveling at a high rate of speed, Reuters reports.

"Some are saying 50, some are saying 60," Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh said of the number killed. "But the injured are many." He said the injured were being transported to the hospital, adding, "The government is going to bear the full cost of this."

A crisis management center was in operation, and Singh described the mobilization of local authorities as on par with "war footing."

A state of mourning was declared for Saturday in Punjab, a state bordering Pakistan.

In Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been tweeting photos of the joyful celebration, which is also known as Vijayadashami. One hour later, he tweeted his condolences at the tragic turn of events.

"Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar," he said. "The tragedy is heart-wrenching."

Modi said he has asked officials to provide immediate assistance.

Singh tweeted that about $6,800 will be given to the families of the dead and that the injured will receive free medical care.

India's rail system — among the longest in the world — has had a dismal safety record.

Last year, Indian officials reportedly tallied nearly 600 rail accidents in the preceding five years, around half of which were due to derailments.

Two years ago, more than 130 people were killed in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh after a train jumped the tracks.</s>NEW DELHI, Oct 19 (Reuters) - A commuter train travelling at high speed struck a crowd of people seated on tracks in northern India on Friday and at least 50 were feared killed, Punjab state police and witnesses said.

"The people were sitting on and near the tracks on the outskirts of Amritsar watching the burning of effigies as part of the Dusshera festival when a commuter train ran over them," a police officer told Reuters.

Reuters partner ANI news agency reported that an eyewitness at the scene said the train that ran over people was travelling at a high speed.

Amarinder Singh, Punjab chief minister, said he was rushing to Amritsar to supervise relief and rescue operations. "District authorities have been mobilised on war footing," Singh tweeted.</s>NEW DELHI — A Congress party leader says at least 50 people are dead after they were run over by a train in northern India.

Pratap Singh Bajwa says the victims were watching fireworks during a religious festival on Friday. They crowded the rail track on the outskirts of Amritsar, a city in Punjab state.

He says they didn't see a speeding train coming in their direction and were killed. He says the train didn't stop after the accident.</s>Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said four weeks have been given to submit the report to find out who was at fault.

59 people were killed and 57 injured in the accident, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said, adding except nine, most of the bodies have been identified. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Amritsar: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Amritsar train accident after visiting injured and kin of those killed in the tragedy.

The chief minister postponed a trip to Israel and arrived at Amritsar on Saturday morning to assess the damage.

"We are announcing a magisterial probe into the incident," Singh said while talking to media.

He said four weeks have been given to submit the report to find out who was at fault. The divisional commissioner of Jalandhar has been entrusted with the job of holding the inquiry, he said.

At least 59 people were killed on Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy was run over by a train near Joda Phatak in Amritsar.

At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to railway tracks.

He said compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased had already been announced by the state government. Besides, the government would bear the cost of medical treatments of the injured admitted to different hospitals, he told reporters.

Fifty-nine people were killed and 57 injured in the accident, he said, adding except nine, most of the bodies have been identified.

After landing at the Amritsar airport, Singh reached the accident site. He met senior officials and members of the crisis management group and took stock of the relief work.

Singh was accompanied by Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Education Minister O P Soni, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, among others.</s>AMRITSAR: At least 50 people were killed Friday after a train ploughed into revellers celebrating a Hindu festival in northern India, police said, the latest major accident on the country’s crumbling rail network. A crowd had gathered on railway tracks in the city of Amritsar in Punjab state to watch a fireworks show marking the Dussehra festival when the train barrelled down the line at speed.

Millions of Hindus celebrate the festival every year with the burning of giant effigies, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. “There are more than 50 dead. The priority now is to take the injured to the hospital,” Amritsar city police commissioner SS Srivastava told reporters.

More than 60 people who were injured were being given emergency treatment at various hospitals across the city, he added. An AFP photographer at the scene said some victims had lost limbs in the accident while others suffered head wounds.

“There was a lot of noise as firecrackers were being let off and it appears they (victims) were unable to hear the approaching train, a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. An eyewitness told a local TV channel there was “utter commotion” when the crowds noticed the train “coming very fast” towards them.

Everyone was running helter-skelter and suddenly the train crashed into the crowds of people,” he said. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered an investigation into the deadly accident and announced a monetary compensation of 500,000 rupees ($6800) each to the family of the victims.

“We have reports that some 50-60 people have died. We have asked all hospitals to remain open through out the night so that the injured can be treated,” Singh told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by the “heart-wrenching tragedy” and asked officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured. Some relatives of the deceased blamed the authorities for allowing a “big function” to be held next to the railway track. An eyewitness said people were taking pictures on their mobile phones, and “they were not given any warning that they should not stand on the tracks.</s>NEW DELHI (REUTERS) - A commuter train travelling at high speed struck a crowd of people seated on tracks in northern India on Friday (Oct 19) and at least 50 were feared killed, Punjab state police and witnesses said.

“The people were sitting on and near the tracks on the outskirts of Amritsar watching the burning of effigies as part of the Dussehra festival when a commuter train ran over them,” a police officer told Reuters.

At least 60 people were admitted to hospital with injuries, the police officer in the control room said, after what he called a “freak accident” given that people did not hear the train approaching amid the din of festivities and fireworks.

Reuters partner ANI news agency reported that an eyewitness at the scene said the train that ran over people was travelling at a high speed.

Amarinder Singh, Punjab chief minister, said he was rushing to Amritsar to supervise relief and rescue operations.

“District authorities have been mobilised on war footing,” Singh tweeted.

Local television stations showed images of angry and distraught locals including a weeping mother who had just lost a child in the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by the train accident.

“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.”</s>AMRITSAR, India: A commuter train travelling at high speed struck a crowd of people seated on tracks in northern India on Friday and at least 50 were feared killed, Punjab state police and witnesses said.

"The people were sitting on and near the tracks on the outskirts of Amritsar watching the burning of effigies as part of the Dussehra festival when a commuter train ran over them," a police officer told Reuters.

At least 60 people were admitted to hospital with injuries, the police officer in the control room said, after what he called a "freak accident" given that people did not hear the train approaching amid the din of festivities and fireworks.

ANI news agency reported that a witness at the scene said the train that ran over people was travelling at a high speed.

Amarinder Singh, Punjab chief minister, said he was rushing to Amritsar to supervise relief and rescue operations.

"We have also ordered an enquiry as to why this incident has taken place," Singh told ANI, adding there still are conflicting reports on the death toll.

A witness told Indian television channel Times Now that relatives of some of the deceased were picking up dead bodies by themselves and no proper rescue operations were currently on.

Bodies of victims lay strewn around the scene and local television stations showed distraught and angry people, including a weeping mother who just lost a child in the tragedy.

"Lot of students were gathered here and we can see so many unknown bodies lying around and there is not even enough light here even now," one person on the scene told a local channel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by the train accident.

"The tragedy is heart-wrenching," he tweeted. "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."

India's state railways, largely built during colonial rule, have an appalling safety record after decades of underinvestment in rail safety infrastructure, as the priority has remained more on keeping fares low for the 23 million passengers who use the network daily.

A derailment in August 2017, which killed 23 people, was the fourth major accident within the span of a year on the world's fourth-biggest rail network.</s>A commuter train traveling at high speed struck a crowd of people seated on tracks in northern India on Friday and at least 50 people are believed to have been killed, Punjab state police and witnesses said.

A police officer told news agency Reuters: “The people were sitting on and near the tracks on the outskirts of Amritsar watching the burning of effigies as part of the Dussehra festival when a commuter train ran over them.”

At least 60 people were taken to hospitals with injuries, the police officer said. He said that people did not hear the train approaching amid the din of festivities and fireworks.

ANI news agency reported that the train that ran over people was traveling at a high speed.

Punjab chief minister, Amarinder Singh, said he was en route to Amritsar to supervise relief and rescue operations.

“We have also ordered an enquiry as to why this incident has taken place,” Singh told ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the victims: “The tragedy is heart-wrenching,” he tweeted. “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.”

According to witnesses, the relatives of some of the deceased were picking up dead bodies by themselves with no proper rescue operations currently in place.
At least 59 people are dead and 100 are injured after a train runs into a Dussehra celebration near Amritsar in India's northern state of Punjab.