Mumbai | Jagran News Desk: In a shocking incident, at least 16 migrant workers were killed after they were mowed down by a goods train in Maharashtra's Aurangabad on Friday morning, said the state police while adding that five were injured in the incident.
The accident happened on the Aurangabad-Jalna railway. Following the incident, the police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials rushed to the spot to take a stock of the situation.
As per media reports, the migrant workers were returning to Chhattisgarh from Jalna amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown and had stopped near the track to take rest after travelling for 35 kms.
Following the incident, the Maharashtra government announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to families of the deceased.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Railways said that the injured have been taken to the Aurangabad Civil Hospital and an inquiry has been ordered.
"During early hrs today after seeing some labourers on track, loco pilot of goods train tried to stop train but eventually hit them between Badnapur and Karmad stations in Parbhani-Manmad section. Injured taken to Aurangabad Civil Hospital. Inquiry ordered," it said, as reported by news agency ANI
The migrant workers were walking along the rail tracks and slept on the tracks due to exhaustion, a police official said, as quoted by PTI.
The official said that the migrant workers were killed after the train ran over them at 5.15 am while adding that the labourers worked at an iron factory in Jalna.
"An accident happened near Karmad, Aurangabad when an empty rake of goods wagon ran over some people. RPF and local police are reaching spot to asses the situation. More details awaited," said Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Central Railway (SCR), as quoted by news agency ANI.
Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he has spoken to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to take a stock of the situation.
"Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided," PM Modi tweeted.
Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over the incident, saying he has spoken to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, concerned authorities in central government and railway administration to ensure all possible assistance.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "the Rail accident in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district is extremely tragic and unfortunate. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured".
The development comes at a time when stranded migrant workers are returning to their home states amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Following an order by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), special 'Shramik' trains were started by the government to provide transport to migrant workers to reach their homes.
However, several of them are still finding it difficult to get a transport and have started walking to their homes on thier own.