At least 50 people were killed Friday (19) after a train plowed into revelers celebrating a Hindu festival in northern India, police said, the latest major accident on the country's crumbling rail network.
A crowd had gathered on railway tracks in the city of Amritsar in Punjab state to watch a fireworks show marking the Dussehra festival when the train barrelled down the line at speed.
"There are more than 50 dead. The priority now is to take the injured to the hospital," Amritsar city police commissioner SS Srivastava told reporters.
More than 60 people who were injured were being given emergency treatment at various hospitals across the city, he added.
An AFP photographer at the scene said some victims had lost limbs in the accident while others suffered head wounds.
"There was a lot of noise as firecrackers were being let off and it appears they (victims) were unable to hear the approaching train," a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
An eyewitness told a local TV channel there was "utter commotion" when the crowds noticed the train "coming very fast" towards them.
"Everyone was running helter-skelter and suddenly the train crashed into the crowds of people," he said.
Punjab Chief minister Amarinder Singh ordered an investigation into the deadly accident and announced a monetary compensation of Rs 500,000 ($6800) each to the family of the victims.
"We have reports that some 50-60 people have died. We have asked all hospitals to remain open through the night so that the injured can be treated," Singh told reporters.
Prime minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by the "heart-wrenching tragedy" and asked officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured.
Some relatives of the deceased blamed the authorities for allowing a "big function" to be held next to the railway track.
An eyewitness said people were taking pictures on their mobile phones and "they were not given any warning that they should not stand on the tracks."
India's railway network is the world's fourth largest and remains the main form of travel in the vast country, but it is poorly funded and deadly accidents often occur.
The country is home to hundreds of railway crossings that are unmanned and particularly accident prone, with people often ignoring oncoming train warnings.
A 2012 government report described the loss of 15,000 passengers to rail accidents every year in India as a "massacre".
Premier Modi has pledged $137 billion over five years to modernise the crumbling network.
Railway minister Piyush Goyal said Friday (19) he was cancelling his trip to the US and returning to India immediately.
"May God give strength to the bereaved and injured," Goyal tweeted.
"Railways is providing all possible assistance at the site."
Millions of Hindus celebrate the Dussehra festival with the burning of giant effigies, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian companies procure energy supplies from across the world based on overall market conditions.
India says it does not recognise unilateral sanctions.
The UK imposed sanctions on Gujarat’s Vadinar refinery owned by Nayara Energy.
New measures are aimed at curbing Moscow’s oil revenue.
India calls for an end to double standards in global energy trade.
INDIA on Thursday (October 16) said it does not recognise unilateral sanctions and called for an end to double standards in energy trade after the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the Vadinar oil refinery in Gujarat.
The UK announced new sanctions targeting several entities, including the Indian refinery owned by Nayara Energy Limited, as part of measures aimed at restricting Moscow's oil revenue.
"We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the UK. India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanctions," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the ministry’s weekly briefing.
"The government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens," he said.
Jaiswal said Indian companies procure energy supplies from across the world based on overall market conditions.
"We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade," he added.
Earlier, Nayara Energy had been targeted by European Union sanctions, which the company had strongly condemned.
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