A speeding train has killed at least 58 people during a religious festival in northern India

News24xx.com -  Tragic, during a religious festival in northern India, a speeding train has killed at least 58 people and injured dozens more after the crowd of people watching fireworks during that festival. The incident happened nearly 290 miles north of New Delhi.

The train failed to stop following the accident on the outskirts of Amritsar, giving little opportunity for people to escape.

A witness said the train did not even sound its whistle as it sped past the site, where hundreds were watching the burning of an effigy during the Hindu festival of Dussehra. Police Commissioner SS Srivastava said the police have found 58 bodies so far. Another witness said the victims did not realise that a train was coming their way because the fireworks were too loud.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by the train accident, "Why did authorities allow the fireworks display so close to the railroad track," he asked. 

"I have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required," Mr Modi tweeted.

Navjot Kaur Siddhu, a local politician, said the celebrations take place in the area every year and railroad authorities are alerted to run the trains at slow speeds. A large number of people live in the area with homes on both sides of the railroad track, she said. Shatrughan Das, an injured 35-year-old factory worker, said he was sitting close to the railroad track watching the fireworks.

The accidents are relatively common in India. In 2016, 146 people were killed when a train slid off railroad tracks in eastern India.
 

 

 

 

 

NEWS24XX.COM/DEV/RED