Page 421 - Disaster Accident
Oppn attacks Cong-led state govt over Punjab train accident, targets Sidhu's wife
A tragic train accident in which over 60 people died became a political blame game with the Opposition holding Punjab's Congress government responsible for allowing a Dussehra event near railway tracks and accusing ex-MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu of running away from the site. Sidhu, wife of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu who was the chief guest at the event, later talked to media at a hospital where injured were taken and said the incident after she had left. "The effigy of Ravana was burnt and I had just left the site when the incident happened. Priority should be to get the injured treated," she said. She also asked people to refrain from politicising the tragedy. Union minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the entire onus was on the state government. "There are not enough words to mourn the Amritsar train tragedy that claims so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it casts serious .
Two killed by explosion at Russian fireworks factory
Two people died and several more were injured on Friday in an explosion at a fireworks factory outside Russia's second largest city of Saint Petersburg, regional authorities said. "The explosion took place at the Avangard factory in Gatchina," a town 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Saint Petersburg, the regional authorities' health committee said. "Two people died and several people were injured according to preliminary information." Conflicting sources put the number of injured as between three and six people, including a 13-year-old girl who was hospitalised after breathing in fumes from the fire that broke out after the explosion. The regional Investigative Committee launched a criminal probe into breaches of safety rules at the factory.
Services between Amritsar, Jalandhar affected after train accident
All services between Jalandhar and Amritsar remained suspended hours after Duasehra revellers were mowed down but a train near Amritsar, railway officials said. While some trains are being diverted, many are stranded near Jalandhar, they said. "Train movement stopped after the accident as local people are sitting on the track," a railway official said. As of now, two trains Bhatinda-Jammu Tawi and Jammu Tawi-Bhatinda have been diverted towards Jalandhar-Pathankot route. Two trains Amritsar-Mumbai Golden Temple and Amritsar-Dehradun are stuck at Amritsar because of the accident, the officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Rs 2 lakh for the family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Railways has issued helpline numbers 0183-2223171, 0183-2564485 for the kin of those injured and dead in the accident between Manawala and Ferozpur, where at least 61 people died after being run over by the train coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar at around 7 pm, officials ...
Amritsar tragedy 'clear case of trespassing', no permission given for event: Railway officials
The gathering of people close to tracks near Amritsar where a train mowed down Dussehra revellers was a "clear case of trespassing" and no permission for the event had been given by the railways, a senior official told PTI. Seeking to shift the blame for the tragedy on the Amritsar administration, official sources said the local authorities were aware about the Dussehra programme and that it was attended a senior minister's wife. "We're not kept in the loop and we provided no permission for the event. It is a clear case of trespassing and the local administration should take responsibility," the railway official said. Amid questions being raised in some quarters about why the train did not stop despite such a large crowd being there, the official said, "There was so much smoke that the driver was unable to see anything and he was also negotiating a curve." "However, railways' entire machinery is at the spot and we are cooperating with local administration is rescue and relief ...
NDRF teams sent to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh after warning by China
The Centre has sent eight companies of National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) to Arunahal Pradesh followed by six others to Assam after intimation from the Chinese government that landslide has blocked the Milin section of the main stream of Yarlung Zangbo or Brahmaputra river recently and that it might impact the lower reaches of the river.
58 dead as train runs over Dussehra revellers in Punjab
In a terrible disaster, 58 people watching the burning of a Ravan effigy from a railway track were crushed to death by a speeding train here in Punjab on Friday, triggering anger in the area and nationwide outrage. Nearly 72 others were injured, many of them seriously.
Amritsar accident: 61 dead as train runs over Dussehra revellers
At least 61 people were killed and 72 injured Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train near here, officials said. The train was coming from Jalandhar when the accident occurred at Joda Phatak near Amritsar, where at least 300 people were watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks. Sub Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Sharma said 61 people, including women and children, have died and at least 72 injured have been admitted to Amritsar hospital. However, Raveen Thukral, media advisor to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, said initial reports suggest the accident occurred during a stampede as people rushed towards the tracks when crackers burst during the burning of the Ravana effigy. The reports indicate that train crashed through the crowd on the tracks at that time, he added. However, a video showed people were run over by the train when they were watching the Ravana .
Jaitley expresses grief over Punjab train tragedy
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday expressed his grievances over the death of more than 50 people in the train accident in Punjab's Amritsar during Dussehra celebrations.Speaking to ANI, Jaitley said, "Innocent people who had gone there to celebrate Dussehra themselves became victims of a very big tragedy, a lot of people have been injured as well. This is a tragedy that could have been avoided had the necessary steps been taken."Jaitley further said, "But the time right now is for every agency from the state and the central governments, the railways, Zila authorities, etc, to come together to help the injured, provide them medical care, relief.. I just spoke with the Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha, he said he will reach there, along with other officials and ministers from the Central government. I am confident that in the next few hours, all the injured will be attended to and provided relief."Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ...
People politicising Amritsar train mishap should be ashamed: Navjot Kaur Sidhu
Congress leader and Punjab Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Friday slammed people "politicising" the Amritsar train mishap.Navjot Kaur, who was the chief guest of the Ravana effigy burning event where the incident took place, said that she came to know about the accident as soon as she left the site."The effigy of Ravan was burnt and I had just left the site when the incident happened. Dussehra celebrations are held there every year. People who are doing politics over this incident should be ashamed," she told ANI.She further said that the priority is the treatment of the inured and identification of the deceased. Navjot Kaur, who is present at Civil Hospital where the injured are being treated said that she will be there for the entire night to help the people.Earlier, MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla said that "probe will be conducted into the incident, and action will be taken against those found guilty, even if it is Navjot Kaur Sidhu."More than
Punjab CM orders probe into train disaster
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered a probe into the train disaster in which 50 people watching the burning of a Ravan effigy from a railway track were feared crushed by a speeding train in Amritsar.
Punjab train tragedy: Goyal returning India
Following the train disaster in Punjab, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday canceled his engagements in the US and was on his way back to India. More than 50 people are feared dead in the incident.
Railway Minister condoles loss of lives in Amritsar train accident
Expressing grief over the Amritsar train tragedy, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations.Goyal, who is currently in the US, tweeted, "Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred in #Amritsar. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the injured to recover quickly. Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations."Meanwhile, ADG PR, Indian Railways, Smita Vats Sharma said that Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha is rushing to the spot. She told ANI, "It is an unfortunate accident. We don't have any confirmation on the numbers who have been impacted by the incident. Accident relief train has reached the site. Minister of State for Railways is also rushing to the spot."More than 50 people are feared to be dead after a train ran into people watching Dussehra celebrations near a train track in Amritsar's Choura Bazar on Friday. According ..
Harsimrat Badal blames Congress administration for Punjab train tragedy
Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday blamed the Congress administration for the tragic train disaster here in Punjab which claimed over 50 lives.
Footage show people taking selfies from tracks during Amritsar tragedy, criticised
As scores of Dussehra revellers watching the burning of Ravana effigy were mowed down by a passing train near here, the disturbing video footage of the accident showed many across the railway tracks filming the celebrations on their mobile phones when the tragedy struck. At least 58 people died and many more injured in the accident between Manawala and Ferozpur stations near Amritsar, when the train ran through the crowd that had assembled across the tracks to watch the Dussehra event. Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the programme, later said nobody knew how the accident happened as people were enjoying and also taking selfies standing on the tracks. Many, including political leaders, took to Twitter to express dismay over the selfie culture during such tragic incidents. "What a mindless & entirely avoidable tragedy! Watching this video you'd be hard pressed to imagine the scale of the tragedy considering the way people are ...
Amritsar Tragedy: Here are helpline numbers
Indian Railways have issued helpline numbers after the Amritsar Dussehra tragedy.A speeding train mowed down at least 50 people, who were standing on railway tracks to watch the effigy of Ravana going up in flames in Amritsar's Choura Bazar area.Helpline telephone numbers are- 0183-2223171- 0183-2564485Manawala station- Railways - 73325- BSNL - 0183-2440024Power Cabin Amritsar- Railways - 72820- BSNL - 0183-2402927Authorities have urged people to come forward and donate blood for the injured at the Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar.Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged emergency services to stay functional.Singh tweeted, "Shocked to hear of tragic rail accident in Amritsar. Have asked all government and private hospitals to stay open to help in this hour of grief. District authorities have been directed to take up relief and rescue operations on a war footing.
Train accident: Dussehra celebrations organised without permission, claim eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses at the train accident site, where more than 50 people are feared dead, claimed that the Dussehra celebrations were organised without permission.From blaming political parties to administration for allowing the celebrations near the railway track in Amritsar's Choura Bazar, the eyewitnesses were in a state of shock.One of the eyewitnesses told ANI, "Congress had organised Dussehra celebrations here without permission. Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife was the chief guest at the celebrations and she continued to give a speech as people were mowed down by the train."Another eyewitness held the organising committee and administration guilty for the incident. He said, "The administration and the Dussehra committee are at fault, they should have raised an alarm when the train was approaching, they should have ensured that the train halted or slowed down."As per initial reports, over 50 people are feared dead after a train ran into people watching Dussehra celebrations near a train ...
Amritsar train tragedy: PM Modi approves Rs 2 lakh for families of deceased
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in Amritsar train tragedy. He has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the injured.More than 50 people were killed and over 30 injured after a local passenger train ran into people watching Dussehra celebrations near a train track in Amritsar's Choura Bazar on Friday.Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic incident and directed officials to provide immediate assistance."Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. 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," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh ordered probe into the incident and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the ...
Amritsar accident: PM Modi directs officials to provide immediate assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief over the deaths of over 50 people in a train accident in Punjab's Amritsar city and said that he has asked officials to provide immediate assistance."Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. 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," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.The unfortunate incident took place when people were watching Dussehra celebrations near a train track in Choura Bazar. Several people also got injured in the incident and have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.Congress president Rahul Gandhi also took cognizance of the incident and expressed condolences to the families of those who have died. He tweeted, "The train accident in Punjab in which over 50 people have died is shocking. I urge the state government and Congress ...
Loco-pilot informed station master at next station about terrible accident
Minutes after the DMU Jalandhar-Amritsar passenger train on Friday crushed over 50 people watching the burning of a Ravan eggify from a railway track, the loco pilot of the train had immediately informed the station master at the next station about the incident, officials said.
Train services on Jalandhar-Amritsar route suspended after accident: Officials
All services on Jalandhar-Amritsar route remained suspended three hours after Dussehra revellers standing across railway tracks were mowed down by a train near Amritsar Friday evening, a railway official said. While some trains are being diverted, many are stationed near Jalandhar, he said. MoS Railways Manoj Sinha told reporters in New Delhi that medical teams are rushing to the spot. "I am also leaving for the site of the accident. As per initial information, people present near the railway track couldn't hear the sound of the approaching train due to bursting of crackers," he told before leaving for Amritsar. Railways has issued helpline numbers 0183-2223171, 0183-2564485 for the kin of those injured and dead in the accident between Manawala and Ferozpur stations near Amritsar. The accident happened around 7 pm, officials said. Telephone numbers at Manawala station are: 0183-2440024, 0183-2402927; and at Ferozpur: 01632-1072. At least 58 people - all Dussehra revellers watching ..