NEW DELHI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 50 people, mostly women and children, reportedly died and many others were injured in India's northern city of Amritsar on Friday when a passenger train ran over them during a festival.
According to TV reports, an effigy of Ravana was put to flames very close to railway tracks on the occasion of Dussehra festival, leading to bursting of loud crackers and panicked people running towards the railway tracks without realising the train coming at a high speed.
The mishap involving the train took place at Choura Bazar area. The train was running from Pathankot city towards Amritsar.
Relief and rescue work is being carried out and the injured are being rushed to a nearby hospital, said a local government official.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths in the train tragedy. He offered immediate assistance to the accident spot.
"Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required," tweeted Modi.
Amritsar is a city in India's northern state of Punjab.
State Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed his government officials to immediately rush to Amritsar and assist the injured and the families of those dead.
