Aurangabad: Police personnel inspect the spot after a goods train ran over a group of migrant workers while they were sleeping on the tracks, in Aurangabad district, Friday, May 8, 2020. 14 migrants were killed in the tragedy. (PTI Photo)
At least 16 migrant workers were killed after coming under a goods train in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district on Friday morning. A police official told all 16 killed were returning to Madhya Pradesh and had slept on railway tracks.
The workers, who were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna, were returning to Madhya Pradesh, an official at the Karmad police station told PTI. 5 workers are critically injured.
"The injured have been shifted to Aurangabad civil hospital," Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Central Railway (SCR) told ANI.
They had been walking along the rail tracks and slept on the rail tracks due to exhaustion, he said. They were mowed down by the goods train that was running between Jalna and Aurangabad.at 5.15 am, the official added.
"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. The inquiry has been ordered," Ministry of Railways tweeted.
The Railways has ordered a comprehensive probe into the incident. What is being probed is the role of patrolmen who are tasked with keeping trespassers away from tracks and also alert the nearest station about any incident.
Meanwhile, PM Modi expressed anguish over the death of migrant workers in a train accident in Maharashtra's Aurangabad. "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.
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1258597915536179201
The accident happened on the Aurangabad-Jalna railway line under the limits of Karmad police station in the city, and cops and the Railway Police Force have rushed to the spot.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said, "Today's accident in Aurangabad was painful. I appeal to the migrant labourers that they should not get restless. We are in touch with various states. Keep your patience for a few more days. Maharashtra government is with you."
