Dussehra celebrations turned into a tragedy in Amritsar, Punjab on Friday when a speeding train ran over dozens of people watching burning of Ravana effigy.
According to reports, over 50 people were feared killed in the horrific incident.
Local Bodies Minister Navjot Sidhu, who is currently in Bengaluru, told a television news channel that the death toll was alarmingly high. His wife Navjot Kaur Singh was the Chief Guest at the event.
"The effigy of Ravan 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 Kaur.
Prima facie it appears to be a complete administration failure at the accident site. It was not clear why the train did not halt despite the presence of so many people on the tracks and why the railway crossing was left open for people to gather.
Witnesses said that as fire was set to the Ravan effigy amid exploding crackers, many of the people around gathered at the event moved back from the flames only to end up standing on the tracks.
They failed to hear the horn of the oncoming train on the track and were mowed down.
Shocking videos on the social media and television channels showed that the train crossed at full speed even as the Ravana effigy burns in the background.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death of several people in a train tragedy during a Dussehra celebration in Punjab.
"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," he tweeted.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh also expressed grief over the incident.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday spoke to the Punjab government over the mowing down of people watching the burning of Ravan effigy by a speeding train in Amritsar and assured him of Centre's assistance.
"Spoke to Home Secretary of Punjab and Director General of Police of the state regarding the train accident in Amritsar. They are rushing to the spot. Centre is ready to provide all possible assistance to the state at this hour of grief.
"Pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dussehra festivities in Punjab. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured," Singh tweeted.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh rushed to Amritsar on Friday in the wake of a train accident in which about 30 people who were watching 'Ravan Dahan' while standing on a railway track were crushed by a speeding train.
Singh announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased and free treatment to the injured.
"Rushing to Amritsar to personally supervise relief and rescue in tragic rail accident on Dussehra in Amritsar," he tweeted.
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