Amritsar Train Accident: Train Driver Detained. Here’s What He Said About The Accident

Hours after 60 people were crushed to death by a speeding train while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy at Joda Phatak, the Punjab and Railway Police officials has said that the driver of the train had been detained at Ludhiana railway station and was being questioned about the incident.

People standing on the tracks did not realise that the Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU passenger train, coming to Amritsar from Hoshiarpur, was approaching fast due to the noise of the firecrackers during the burning effigy.

#WATCH The moment when DMU train 74943 ran over people who were watching #Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar near #Amritsar (Source Unverified) pic.twitter.com/XJN37vB0md

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

According to a report published by a leading news agency, IANS, the driver had claimed that he was given green signal and all clear and had no idea that hundreds of people were standing on the tracks.

#WATCH Amritsar accident: Police Commissioner SS Srivastava says, "Exact death toll is not known but it is definitely more than 50-60. We are still evacuating people." pic.twitter.com/5l9Gjw90VB

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

Meanwhile, the Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani had informed the reporters that Jalandhar-Amritsar Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) passenger train was running at its assigned speed. Its loco-pilot, however, applied brakes to slow it down.

#AmritsarTrainAccident : Ashwani Lohani, Chairman Railway Board, visits the site of accident where the DMU train ran over people who were watching Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar near #Amritsar yesterday. pic.twitter.com/0qhYIx0bJQ

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2018

"Our initial report suggest that the loco-pilot applied the brakes and the speed came down from 90 kmph to around 60-65 kmph. We are still looking at the seepdometer charts," Lohani said.

Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha also reacted on the incident and has said that his ministry is not to be blamed for any lapses leading to the disaster.

Ppl should restrain from organising such events near tracks in future.Drivers are given specific instructions on where to slow down.There was a curve, driver couldn't have seen it.About what should we order an inquiry?Trains travel in speed only: M Sinha on #AmritsarTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/5s1PMrZCHV

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2018

Railway administration is at work to provide all kinds of needed help. It's not the time to do politics. Priority is to give best medical aid to injured. Railway administration had no information about this event: MoS Railways Manoj Sinha at the site of #Amritsar train accident. pic.twitter.com/2Imr5ROWr5

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who arrived at the accident spot 16 hours after the tragedy, has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation each to the kin of the deceased immediately after the incident.

#AmritsarTrainAccident: Punjab CM orders immediate release of Rs. 3 Cr to DC Amritsar for payment of ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. pic.twitter.com/PKU8HCgQ8p

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2018

The accident occurred within a matter minutes when the train came at a high speed. The train did not blow the horn. CM has ordered an investigation into the incident: Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu at Civil Hospital on #AmritsarTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/QWE8pGY8qQ

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2018

The Prime Minister also announced Rs 2 lakh compensation each to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.