Amritsar, October 20: Following the tragic train accident in Amritsar, eight trains have been cancelled, and five trains have been diverted. Meanwhile, 10 trains were short-terminated and five other trains have been short-originated today. While speaking to the media, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu termed it an unfortunate incident. During his visit to the Civil Hospital, where injured were shifted, Sidhu said, “It was a sad and an unfortunate incident. It is necessary to understand that it was an accident. There has been negligence, but it was never intentional or motivated.” Chairman Railway Board, Ashwani Lohani also visited the site of the accident.

Around 60 people were killed and at least 70 people were injured in a tragic incident that took place at Joda Phatak crossing in Amritsar on Friday evening as several people had gathered to watch Ravan Dahan. Wife of the Punjab minister and former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu was the chief guest of the event. As per reports, the train was travelling from Pathankot to Amritsar. Injured were rushed to nearby Civil Hospital. Some of them were also admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital. Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has ordered a probe into the fatal train accident.

Visuals of the site of the accident site where the DMU train ran over people who were watching Dussehra celebrations:

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has also cancelled all his engagements in the United States, where he was on an official visit. Goyal is heading back to India on an immediate basis to take stock of the situation in Amritsar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also approved the compensation of Rs two lakhs for the family of the kin of those deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the train accident. State mourning has been declared in Punjab today, and all offices and educational institutions will remain closed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2018 09:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).