Train runs over 35 pilgrims in Bihar; angry locals set coaches on fire, attack railway officials by AllIsWell on 20 August, 2013 - 12:01 AM | ||
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AllIsWell | Train runs over 35 pilgrims in Bihar; angry locals set coaches on fire, attack railway officials on 20 August, 2013 - 12:01 AM | |
PATNA: At least 35 pilgrims were killed and over a dozen injured on Monday when they were run over by a speeding train in Bihar's Khagaria district. Angry locals and pilgrims set ablaze six coaches of the train, brutally assaulted its driver and took several railway officials hostage.Additional director general of police SK Bhardwaj confirmed the death of 35 Hindu pilgrims (Kanwariyas) when the Rajya Rani Express train mowed them down while they were trying to cross rail tracks at the Dhamara railway station on Saharsa-Mansi route of the East Central Railway (ECR).The death toll may increase because detailed information is yet to come from the accident site, he said.The train was travelling from Saharsa to Patna when the accident took place between 8am and 8.30am. The express train does not have a scheduled stop at Dhamara station."The accident took place when pilgrims were trying to cross the railway track after alighting from a local train," he said.Soon after the incident, angry pilgrims and locals set ablaze six coaches, including one AC coach, of the train and attacked railway officials."Some angry people attacked the train driver and seriously injured him. They beat him up mercilessly. Besides, some railway officials have been held hostage by them," a police official said.Bhardwaj said top officials of the district administration have been asked to rush to the accident site. |