Mumbai/May, 8 :Fifteen migrant workers in a group of 20 were killed after a cargo train ran over them while they were sleeping on the tracks in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad Friday morning, the railways said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his expressed his anguish over the deaths and assured all possible assistance.
Reports said the migrants were walking from Jalna to Bhusaval, 157 km apart. Four of the survivors, who are in shock, are being counselled by the police, senior police officer Mokshada Patil said. The fifth survivor has been admitted to hospital with injuries.
“We are counselling the survivors before we speak to them for more details,” Ms Patil said.
The police said the migrants, who were headed to Madhya Pradesh, likely assumed that trains were not running due to the coronavirus lockdown and slept off on the tracks. They were run over by the passing train at 5.15 am today at the district 360 km from Mumbai.
The tracks were strewn with footwear and other personal belongings. Even the rotis they were carrying for their journey were seen on the tracks.
There were reportedly no children in the group. The Railway Ministry tweeted the driver tried to stop the train. “During early hours today after seeing some labourers on track, loco pilot of goods train tried to stop the train but eventually hit them between Badnapur and Karmad stations in Parbhani-Manmad section. Injured have been taken to Aurangabad Civil Hospital. Inquiry has been ordered,” the Railway Ministry tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “all possible assistance” is being provided. “Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided,” PM Modi tweeted.
