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Updated: May 8, 2020 11:43:51 am
The workers, who were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna to board a “Special Shramik” train to return to Madhya Pradesh, were sleeping on the railway line when the accident occurred between Badnapur and Karmad stations in the Nanded Division.
Sixteen migrant workers were shot down by an empty freight train in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra in the early hours of Friday. While 14 of them died instantly, two of them later succumbed.
The workers, who were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna to board a “Special Shramik” train to return to Madhya Pradesh, were sleeping on the railway line when the accident occurred between Badnapur and Karmad stations in the Nanded Division.
Extremely distressed at the loss of life due to the train accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. I have spoken to the Minister of Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal, and he is closely following the situation. All possible assistance required is provided.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2020
Expressing his regret at the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Extremely distressed at the loss of life due to the train accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. I have spoken to the railway minister, Piyush Goyal, and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided. ”
Inspector Satish Khetmalas of the Aurangabad Rural Police said migrant workers must have fallen asleep on the tracks due to exhaustion.
“The 20 workers were walking from Jalna to Bhusawal, which is about 150 kilometers away. They stopped after walking about 45 kilometers to get some rest and fell asleep on the tracks. A freight train ran over them around 5.15 in the morning, ”he said.
The empty train was heading from Cherlapally station near Hyderabad to Panewadi station near Manmad in Nashik. Motorists tried to stop the train, but did not, an official said.
“The crazy pilot noticed some people along the tracks. He honked his horn and also tried to stop the train, but he couldn’t contain his speed before hitting those lying on the tracks, ”said South Central Railway director of public relations Ch Rakesh. He added that an investigation has been ordered under the Railway Safety Commissioner, SCR.
“During the early hours of today, after seeing some workers on the track, the crazy freight train pilot tried to stop the train, but eventually hit them between Badnapur and Karmad stations in the Parbhani-Manmad section. The wounded have been transferred to the Aurangabad Civil Hospital. A consultation has been ordered, ”tweeted the Ministry of Railways.
During the early hours of today, after seeing some workers on the track, the crazy freight train pilot attempted to stop the train, but eventually hit them between Badnapur and Karmad stations in the Parbhani-Manmad section.
The wounded have been transferred to the Aurangabad Civil Hospital.
Query has been ordered– Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 8, 2020
One person was seriously injured and is receiving treatment in a government hospital. Three others, who slept away from the tracks, escaped unharmed.
The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to send a team of officials on a special plane to Aurangabad to organize the last rites of the workers. Prime Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced compensation of Rs five lakh each for the relatives of the deceased, and demanded an investigation into the incident.
Former prime minister and congressional leader Digvijaya Singh said there should be an impartial investigation into the accident. He tried to find out if the Madhya Pradesh government had registered these workers and if he had made any arrangements to take them home.
Several migrant workers have taken to the streets, in an attempt to return home, since the national blockade following the coronavirus pandemic came into effect.
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