Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh met victims of Amritsar Train Accident at Guru Nanak Dev government hospital in Amritsar. In a horrible mishap 61 people lost their lives while 77 injured as on Friday when a speeding train ran over a swarm of Dussehra revellers that had gathered onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy. Punjab CM ordered immediate release of Rs. 3 Cr to DC Amritsar for payment of ex-gratia to the families of the deceased.

The tragedy took place at the Joda Fatak area where a large crowd had gathered to look at the fireworks.

“When a tragedy occurs the entire administration gets involved. We have come here as soon as we could come. Today, the entire cabinet of Punjab is here”, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh

He added that 59 people killed and 57 people were injured in the incident and his administration will try that postmortem of the bodies are done as soon as possible. So far most of the bodies have identified except 9.

Punjab CM also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident under the police commissioner who will submit a report in 4 weeks.

Meanwhile Punjab Police officials said that the DMU (diesel multiple unit) driver was in custody and was being questioned regarding the incident.

It is informed by the Northern Railways that Gate No. C-27 is a manned level crossing gate and it was closed for road traffic for passing the above DMU train. There is about 2.5 meter high brick wall between the railway track and the Ravan Effigy Dahan site.