50 killed as train ploughs into crowd at Hindu festival

AT LEAST 50 people were killed yesterday after a train hit revellers celebrating a Hindu festival in northern India, 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.

“There are more than 50 dead. The priority now is to take the injured to the hospital,” the Amritsar city police commissioner told reporters.

More than 60 people who were injured were being given emergency treatment at various hospitals across the city, he added.

A 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 [the victims] were unable to hear the approaching train,” a police official told AFP news agency.

A witness told a local television 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.

Another bystander said people were taking pictures on their mobile phones and “they were not given any warning that they should not stand on the tracks”.

Amarinder Singh, Punjab chief minister, ordered an investigation into the accident and announced compensation of 500,000 rupees (£5,200) each to the victims’ families.

Narendra Modi, the prime minister, said he was extremely saddened by the “heart-wrenching tragedy”.