More than 50 people have been killed and 200 hurt after a train ran into a crowd near Amritsar in India’s northern Punjab state, police told the BBC.
The victims were standing on the railway tracks watching celebrations for the Hindu festival of Dusshera, eyewitnesses told BBC Punjabi.
They did not hear the train approach as they watched a firecracker-filled effigy of the demon king Ravana burn. Officials said the priority now was to take the injured to local hospitals.
Footage posted to social media showed the fast-travelling train hitting the crowd.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described the incident as “absolutely tragic”, and wrote in a tweet that local authorities were being “mobilised”.
“We will do everything possible to assist the injured,” he said, adding: “[I] have directed the district administration to leave no stone unturned to ensure the best possible treatment for them.” There are fears that the death toll will rise further. (BBC)
