In Punjab, the persons injured in the train accident last evening are being treated in various hospitals including Civil hospital, Guru Nanak Hospital, Hartej hospital, Amardeep hospital, IVI hospital, Sri Guru Ram Das Hospital and Fortis hospital.
According to official sources, the mishap occurred when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced compensation of five lakh rupees each for the next of kin of those killed and free treatment for the injured. Mr. Singh ordered an inquiry into the incident and set up a crisis management group of his Cabinet colleagues.
A state mourning has been declared today and all offices and educational institutions are closed.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore and several other leaders have expressed grief over the loss of lives. Mr. Modi announced compensation of 2 lakh rupees each for the family of those killed and 50,000 for the injured.
He also directed officials to provide immediate assistance. Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and top railway officials rushed to the spot.
Officials put the death toll at 61. 39 bodies have been identified and the postmortem was done on 29.
