Coordinates: 31°37′51″N 74°53′50″E

Amritsar train disaster

The Amritsar Train Disaster was a major accident which occurred
Amritsar train incident
on October 19, 2018 when two Indian Railways passenger trains
rode into a crowd of people in the eastern outskirts of Amritsar, [Interactive fullscreen map]

Punjab. The crowd had gathered to watch celebrations for the

Hindu festival of Dussehra and were standing on the tracks. The Details
accident occurred in the early evening, killing at least 59 people[2] Date 19 October 2018
and injuring approximately an additional 100.[3] ≈18:45 IST
(UTC+05:30)
Location Amritsar, Punjab

Contents Coordinates 31°37′51″N

74°53′50″E[1]
Incident
Country India
Victims
Operator Indian Railways:
Response Northern Railway
Protest Cause Trespassing
Railway Statistics
Driver
Deaths At least 59
See also Injured At least 100
Notes
References

Incident
According to local police and news media, the spectators were External video
standing and sitting on or near the tracks in the Joda Phatak[a] Footage of Amritsar Train
area in the outskirts of Amritsar. The spectators were watching Accident / The Quint, ANI (https://w
the burning of an effigy of Ravana as part of the Dussehra ww.youtube.com/watch?v=7gNEsc3
festival, when a commuter train ran into the crowd.[6]
The train 1icY,)
was described as a diesel multiple unit (DMU) local passenger
train travelling westbound from Jalandhar station to Amritsar.
Witnesses claimed that another train, the Amritsar–Howrah Mail service, had passed in the opposite
direction moments earlier,[7] and this was later confirmed by the gateman in charge of the junction.[8]

Several witnesses claimed that the train did not blow its horn when it got close to the crowds of
spectators.[9] The driver said that he both honked and applied the emergency brakes but did not come to a
complete halt because the crowd had begun to pelt the train with stones.[10]

Local Congress politician Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the wife of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for
Amritsar East, was the guest of honour at the event. She said she had left the site shortly before the accident
occurred but that she returned as soon as she heard about it.[11] Sidhu also said that the celebration was
held there every year and that the railway authorities were alerted in advance of the need to moderate their
speed.[12]

Victims
An official told reporters that elected officials confirmed that at least 59 people were killed in the accident.
By the evening of 19 October 50 bodies had been discovered and at least 50 people had been admitted to a
nearby hospital while the other nine bodies were found the next day.[13]
Due to the force of the train's
impact, many victims were dismembered or mutilated beyond recognition, which delayed the body
identification.[14]

A local official said that most of the victims were migrant workers and their families from the states of Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar who lived in the area.[15] Navjot Singh Sidhu visited some of the survivors and family
members of the dead at a local hospital, on 20 October. During his visit two women met with him who had
reportedly lost their entire families, including children, husbands and even in-laws.[16]

The majority of those identified were cremated at the Shitla Mata Temple in Amritsar, while a few others
were sent back to their hometowns.[17][18] Allegations were reported to the local media, that after the
accident some of the crowd stole valuables of the victims and survivors; family members also reported that
only the bodies of their relatives were returned but not their effects.[19]

Response
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced compensation of ₹5 lakh (equivalent to ₹5.7 lakh or
US$7,500 in 2020) for the family of each of those killed, and free treatment for the injured. There was no
immediate decision about any compensation from the railways. The central government also announced a
compensation of ₹2 lakh (equivalent to ₹2.3 lakh or US$3,000 in 2020) for the family of each of the dead
and ₹50,000 (equivalent to ₹57,000 or US$750 in 2020) for the injured.[20] The state announced a day of
mourning in honor of the victims, and Singh ordered an inquiry into how the accident had occurred.[13]

On 23 October, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Minister for Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs in the
Punjab State Government[21]
and husband of Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the guest of honour at the
festival, announced that he and his wife would adopt all the children who lost parents in the accident,
covering their education and all other expenses, and that women who lost their husbands would also be
extended all required financial help.[22]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind[23] offered condolences to the families of
the dead and hopes that the injured would recover quickly.[6] Video footage of the incident seemed to show
several mobile phones filming after the accident, causing the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah to criticise the reaction of the crowd.[24]

Protest

The day after the accident, 20 October, some locals staged a sit-in protest on the railway tracks, demanding
action from officials, the train driver, and "adequate compensation" for the victims.[14] Some protesters
demanded that the families of those killed receive government jobs, and placed blame on officials. Railway
services were continued 40 hours after the incident.[25]

Railway
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, on a visit to the United States at the time of the accident, announced his
immediate return to India.[26] The route between Jalandhar and Amritsar was suspended, and the day after
the incident 37 trains were cancelled, 16 trains diverted, and 18 trains terminated early.[27]

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha stated that the railways administration had not been informed of
the festival's location or timing.[28] A senior Indian Railways official described the incident as "a clear case
of trespassing" and, when asked why the train did not stop or slow as it approached, explained that there
was "so much smoke that the driver was unable to see anything and he was also negotiating a curve."[29]

Driver

The driver reported the accident immediately to the Amritsar Junction station master[30] and was detained
by the Punjab Police and Railway Police at Ludhiana Railway Station for questioning.[31] The driver
reportedly told officials that he had received a green signal and had no idea that there were hundreds of
people standing on the tracks.[32]
Railways Minister of State Manoj Sinha denied any negligence on the
driver's part and stated that no action was being taken against him.[33]

The driver released a letter on 21 October which detailed his account of the crash. He said that he applied
the emergency brakes and honked to disperse the crowd, but when a mob surrounded the train and threw
stones at the train he continued to the next stop.[34]

See also
List of Indian rail accidents
Lists of rail accidents

Notes
a. The name is that of a railway crossing. Other spellings used in the English-language media
include "Jaura"[4] and "Jodha".[5]

References
1. "Dussehra tragedy in Amritsar" (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/dusse
hra-tragedy-in-amritsar-live-updates-many-killed-as-train-runs-over-revellers/article2526444
4.ece). The Hindu. 19 October 2018.
2. "Amritsar train accident LIVE: Nearly 60 dead, PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh compensation
to kins of victims" (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amritsar-train-accident-live-updates
-railways-punjab-dussehra-5409747/). Retrieved 19 October 2018.
3. "Amritsar: Scores dead as train mows down crowd" (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-i
ndia-45913793). BBC News (in British English). 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October
2018.
4. "60 Dead As Train Hits Crowd Watching Ravan-Burning In Punjab: 10 Points" (https://www.n
dtv.com/india-news/many-feared-dead-in-train-accident-near-amritsar-say-reports-1934614).
5. "Nitish Blames Puja Organizers in Amritsar for Train Tragedy" (https://www.patnadaily.com/~
patnadai/index.php/news/13900-nitish-blames-puja-organizers-in-amritsar-for-train-tragedy.
html). Patna Daily. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
 6. Sharma, Munish. "Train runs over crowd on tracks in northern India, 50 feared dead" (https://
www.reuters.com/article/us-india-accident/train-runs-over-crowd-on-tracks-in-northern-india-
50-feared-dead-idUSKCN1MT25I). U.S. (in American English). Retrieved 19 October 2018.
7. "Dussehra turns tragic in Amritsar as 60 crushed under train" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.
com/india/dussehra-turns-tragic-in-amritsar-as-60-crushed-under-train/articleshow/6628724
9.cms). The Times of India. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
8. "Amritsar train accident: Joda Phatak gateman narrates horror, says left immediately to avoid
getting lynched" (https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/amritsar-train-accident-joda-p
hatak-indian-railways-navjot-kaur-sidhu-navjot-singh-sidhu-punjab-captain-amarinder-singh
-howrah-mail-ravan-dahan/302034). Times Now Digital. 20 October 2018. Retrieved
20 October 2018.
9. "Punjab train accident: Eyewitnesses recount horror - Times of India" (https://timesofindia.ind
iatimes.com/india/amritsar-train-accident-eyewitnesses-recount-horror/articleshow/6628666
3.cms). The Times of India. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
10. "Amritsar train tragedy: Applied emergency brakes but wasn't able to prevent casualties,
says driver" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amritsar-train-tragedy-applied-emerge
ncy-brakes-but-wasnt-able-to-prevent-casualties-says-driver/articleshow/66304043.cms). 21
October 2018. The Times of India. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
11. "58 dead as train mows into crowd watching Ravan burn in Amritsar" (https://timesofindia.ind
iatimes.com/india/58-dead-as-train-mows-into-crowd-watching-ravan-burn-in-amritsar/article
show/66288777.cms). The Times of India. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
12. "At least 50 dead as train hits crowd watching fireworks in India" (https://www.theguardian.co
m/world/2018/oct/19/train-hits-crowd-watching-fireworks-india-amritsar). The Guardian. 19
October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
13. "Amritsar train tragedy LIVE updates: Death toll rises to 61, Punjab Government declares
state mourning" (https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/amritsar-train-mishap-live-up
dates-jhoda-phatak-amritsar-howrah-express-accident-dussehra-celebrations/1354670/).
The Financial Express (in American English). 20 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
14. "Indians protest after train accident kills dozens" (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/i
ndians-protest-railway-safety-train-accident-kills-dozens-181020112640932.html).
www.aljazeera.com. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
15. "Amritsar train accident: Latest updates" (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/many-dea
d-as-train-runs-over-people-celebrating-dussehra-near-amritsar/article25269812.ece). The
Hindu. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
16. "Make Socio-economic Profiles of Amritsar Train Accident Victims, Punjab CM Tells
Administration" (https://www.news18.com/news/india/make-socio-economic-profiles-of-amrit
sar-train-accident-victims-punjab-cm-tells-administration-1915247.html). News18. Retrieved
22 October 2018.
17. "40 of those killed in Amritsar train accident identified: Officials" (https://economictimes.indiat
imes.com/news/politics-and-nation/9-of-those-killed-in-amritsar-train-accident-identified-offic
ials/articleshow/66291200.cms). The Economic Times. 20 October 2018. Retrieved
20 October 2018.
18. "Forty Victims of Amritsar Train Accident Identified" (https://thewire.in/uncategorised/forty-vict
ims-of-amritsar-train-accident-identified). The Wire. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October
2018.
19. " 'People turned Ravan': Mobile phones, wallets of dead and injured stolen after Amritsar
train accident | India News" (https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/amritsar-train-acci
dent-incident-survivors-victims-robbed-amritsar-train-accident-video-today-amritsar-train-had
sa-joda-phatak-indian-national/302230) (in British English). Retrieved 22 October 2018.
20. "Relief Operations Being Conducted At Amritsar Accident Site: Piyush Goyal" (https://www.n
dtv.com/india-news/amritsar-train-accident-relief-operations-being-conducted-at-amritsar-ac
cident-site-1934640). NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
21. "Punjab: Navjot Singh Sidhu to take charge of Local Government, Tourism & Cultural Affairs
Ministry" (http://indianexpress.com/elections/punjab-assembly-elections-2017/punjab-navjot
-singh-siddu-to-take-charge-of-local-government-tourism-cultural-affairs-ministry-4571855/).
The Indian Express. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
22. "Will Adopt All Children Who Lost Parents In Amritsar Train Accident: Navjot Sidhu" (https://
www.news18.com/news/india/will-adopt-all-children-who-lost-parents-in-amritsar-train-accid
ent-navjot-sidhu-1916609.html). News18. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
23. "President, Vice President and PM Modi express grief over Amritsar train accident" (http://w
ww.ddinews.gov.in/national/president-vice-president-and-pm-modi-expresses-grief-over-amr
itsar-train-accident). Doordarshan. 20 October 2018.
24. "Footage show people taking selfies from tracks during Amritsar tragedy, criticised" (https://e
conomictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/footage-show-people-taking-selfies-f
rom-tracks-during-amritsar-tragedy-criticised/articleshow/66288230.cms). The Economic
Times. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
25. PHATAK, JODA (20 October 2018). "Residents Stage Protest At Amritsar Train Accident
Site" (https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/residents-stage-protest-at-amritsar-train-accident-site
-1934958). NDTV.com. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
26. "61 dead as train mows down Dusserah crowd in Amritsar" (https://www.thehindu.com/news/
national/other-states/58-dead-as-train-mows-down-dasara-crowd-in-amritsar/article2526621
4.ece). The Hindu. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
27. "In Photos: The Aftermath of the Deadly Amritsar Train Accident" (https://thewire.in/urban/in-
photos-the-aftermath-of-the-deadly-amritsar-train-accident). The Wire. 20 October 2018.
Retrieved 20 October 2018.
28. "Amritsar train accident Updates: Railway admin had no information about Dussehra event,
says minister" (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/accident-in-amritsar-live-update
s-nearly-15-killed-as-train-hits-people-watching-ravana-effigy-burn/story-COXvGNAe3Krgah
Lxz0c3mN.html). Hindustan Times. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
29. "Amritsar train accident clear case of trespassing, no permission given for event: Railway
officials" (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amritsar-train-accident-clear-case-of-tr
espassing-no-permission-given-for-event-railway-officials/story-8HnYORcb69H0uTjjqjKIDL.
html). Hindustan Times. Press Trust of India. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
30. "Loco-pilot informed station master at next station about accident" (https://timesofindia.indiati
mes.com/india/loco-pilot-informed-station-master-at-next-station-about-accident/articleshow/
66288201.cms). The Times of India. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
31. "Amritsar train tragedy: Top developments" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/59-dea
d-in-amritsar-train-accident-top-developments/articleshow/66290690.cms). The Times of
India. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
32. "Amritsar train accident: Driver says he was given green signal, Railways says not our fault"
(https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amritsar-train-accident-driver-says-he-was-given-green
-signal-railway-says-not-our-fault-1371586-2018-10-20). India Today. Retrieved 20 October
2018.
33. "No action against driver, says MoS for Railways Manoj Sinha" (https://www.thehindu.com/n
ews/national/other-states/no-action-against-driver-says-mos-for-railways-manoj-sinha/article
25272434.ece). The Hindu. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
34. "Amritsar train tragedy: Applied emergency brakes but wasn't able to prevent casualties,
says driver - Times of India" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amritsar-train-tragedy-
applied-emergency-brakes-but-wasnt-able-to-prevent-casualties-says-driver/articleshow/66
304043.cms). The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2018.

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