Scores dead in India as train hits crowd

Scores dead in India as train hits crowd

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – More than 60 people have been killed and 100 hurt after a train ran into a crowd near Amritsar in India’s Northern Punjab State, Police told the BBC.

The victims were standing on the railway tracks watching celebrations for Dusshera, a Hindu festival marking the triumph of good over evil.

They did not hear the train approach as they watched a firecracker-filled effigy of the Demon King ‘Ravana’ burn.

Children are said to be amongst the dead.

Spectators were watching the effigy burn, and a fireworks display, when many started moving towards the railway tracks a short distance away.

Some reports suggest organisers told people to move away from the firecrackers, while other reports say participants ran towards the track because they were afraid the burning effigy would collapse.

According to eyewitnesses, many on the tracks were busy filming the festivities on their phones, and did not notice the train approaching at high speed.

Police say the noise of the firecrackers and the crowd may have stopped victims from hearing the train.

The train that hit the crowds was travelling from Jalandhar to Amritsar.