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. 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. "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 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". Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by the “heart-wrenching tragedy” and asked officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured.
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.