[ad_1]
A train in India crashed into a group of migrant workers walking the railroad tracks to return to their home state on Friday, killing at least 16.
The railway ministry has launched an investigation into the incident.
According to railway officials, the workers were walking to their home state, Madhya Pradesh, after they lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 blockade. Most of the public transport has already been canceled due to the blockade.
These workers had started from Jalna to go to Bhusawal (both in Maharashtra), at a distance of 157 kilometers, and had planned to go to their native places Umariya and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, which is about 850 kilometers away.
According to the railways, they left Jalna at 7pm on Thursday and initially walked down the highway and then headed towards Aurangabad. After walking about 36 kilometers, these workers began to feel tired and sat on the track between Karnad and Badnapur railway stations for a little rest. Little by little they went to a deep sleep.
It was at 5.22 in the morning when the approaching freight train ran over these workers, the railway ministry said in a statement. The driver tried to stop the train but was unable to do so in time, he added.
There were 14 people on the highway, two adjacent to the highway and three away from it, the railways said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the deaths on Twitter. “Extremely distressed at the loss of life due to the railway 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, “he tweeted.
Amid the national blockade, thousands of migrant workers stranded in various other cities have been in endless work to return to their places of origin on foot.
Interstate bus service, passenger services, mail, and express trains have been suspended since March 24.
Railways began operating “Shramik Special” trains to transport stranded migrants to their places of origin from May 1. As of Thursday, the railways have operated 201 “Shramik Special” trains.
.
[ad_2]
