Limbs, bodies all over the track, say witnesses

PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 19

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed in the Jora Phatak area as human limbs were seen scattered in half a kilometre stretch after a number of people watching the burning of effigies during Dasehra festivities were mowed down by the Jalandhar-Amritsar diesel multiple unit (DMU) here on Friday evening.

Sandeep Singh, a young eyewitness to the incident, said he was standing on the wall of the Dhobi Ghat ground where Dasehra festivities were going on. He said as the effigies were set afire, I closed my ears with my hands and turned my back only to see the train mowing down the onlookers who were standing on the railway track.

“I was shocked. Soon bodies and limbs were scattered along the train track. People rushed towards the track to help the victims and rush them to hospitals. The casualties could be much more than the officials are declaring,” he said.

He said the Amritsar-Howrah train had just passed through the track and people had shifted to another track. However, within minutes the DMU also reached. But due to bursting of crackers, people could not hear the train horn and got mowed down by the train, he added. “I have never seen such a horrific accident,” he pointed out.

Another eyewitness Sudhir Arora said it was a major lapse on the part of the organisers of the programme as they set the effigies afire very late in the evening, which was the major cause of the tragic accident.

People search desperately for kin

People were seen searching for their family members even after an hour of the accident. They were seen puzzled whether to look for them at the spot or go to hospitals where they were rushed after the tragedy. They did not know which hospital the victims had been taken to. Rudal, a migrant labourer from Uttar Pradesh, was looking for his brother Brij Bhan (20). “We live in the Majitha Road area. My brother along with his four friends had come to watch Dasehra festivities. One of his friends suffered minor injuries. I am still searching for my brother. Where should I look for him?” asked Rudal.

What they said

Pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dasehra festivities in Punjab. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured. — Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister

Extremely sad news about a major train accident near Amritsar. I appeal to all our volunteers in the area to help authorities in the relief work and provide whatever help we can in this moment of crisis. — Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM

I’ve spoken to the DGP and the administration to provide support and assistance in this hour of tragedy. I express condolences to the families. VP Singh Badnore, Punjab Governor

I appeal to SAD workers to help in taking people to hospitals and in giving food and shelter to them. The SGPC will provide free medical aid at Guru Ram Dass Hospital. — Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the injured to recover quickly. The Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations. Piyush Goyal, Railway Minister

I urge the state government to provide immediate relief. My condolences to the families of those who have died. I pray that the injured make a speedy recovery. — Rahul Gandhi, Congress president