Train mows down India fireworks crowd
NEW DELHI — Indian police Saturday began investigations after a train struck and killed 60 people watching fireworks during a religious festival, as new evidence emerged showing negligence by organizers and the railway system.
The victims, including 134 people who were injured, were standing on the railway tracks in the northern city of Amritsar to watch the burning of an effigy of demon king Ravana during the Hindu festival of Dussehra when the accident occurred Friday night.
Those who were hit could not hear the approaching train because of the exploding firecracker-filled effigy, officials said.
Most of the victims were poor migrant workers. Police detained the train driver for questioning. Official sources told the IANS news agency that the driver claimed that he was given a green signal and an all-clear, and that he had no idea there were hundreds of people on the tracks.
Questions were been raised as to how permissions were granted to hold the Dussehra celebrations near the railway tracks.
Senior officials said Indian Railways was not informed about Dussehra celebrations near the tracks.
Local media reported that railway officials were questioning the lineman who gave the train the green signal and did not inform the driver about the crowds.