Amritsar/ New Delhi: At least 58 people were killed, and 72 injured Friday evening in Punjab where a crowd of Dussehra festival revellers that had spilt onto railway tracks to watch the celebrations was run over by a train, officials said.
The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak near here where at least 300 people were watching the effigy of 'Ravana' go up in flames as part of the celebration in an open ground near the tracks.
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Amritsar I, Rajesh Sharma said 58 people have died and at least 72 injured have been admitted to government hospital.
As the effigy was lit and the fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started escaping towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials said.
However, two trains arrived from the opposite directions at the same time giving little opportunity to the people to escape, they said.
Several people were mowed down by one of the trains, the officials said.
Wails and cries of people filled the air as friends and relatives frantically looked for their near and dear ones. Severed bodies, including of many children, were still lying on the accident site hours after the incident with angry people not allowing authorities to remove them.
It was a heart-rending sight as the dismembered body parts laid strewn on the blood-soaked ground. Many bodies could not be identified.
The incident sent shock waves across the country. There was an outpouring of grief with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoling the loss of lives. Modi directed officials to provide immediate assistance.
"Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. 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," he said.
"Shocked to hear about the tragedy on rail tracks in Amritsar, Punjab. Understand Indian Railways and local authorities are taking steps to help affected people," Kovind said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased and said he was rushing to the spot to supervise rescue and relief operations personally.
He also announced free treatment to all injured in the accident.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are rushing to the spot while Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said immediate relief and rescue operations are being conducted. (With PTI inputs)