Indian train accident kills 37
Train accidents in India have killed more than 1,200 people over the past seven years [GALLO/GETTY]An Indian express train has ploughed into a crowd of Hindu pilgrims in the country\’s east, killing at least 37, an Indian Railways spokesman says.
Authorities say the incident happened Monday in the Saharsa district in the state of Bihar.
The incident took place at 08:40 India time [03:10GMT]. The pilgrims were hit by the Rajya Rani Express travelling on the opposite track.
After Sunday\’s incident, a violent mob reportedly assaulted the train driver to death and set two trains on fire.
Many railway personnel have run away and left the station completely unmanned, according to officials.
Dinesh Chandra Yadav, an Indian parliament member, said the pilgrims were crossing the railway tracks when the accident occurred.
"The train was running at 80 km/hour," Adhir Chowdhury, India\’s junior railway minister, told NDTV.
District and police officials are trying to reach the spot, considered to be a remote part of the district.
Train accidents in India have killed more than 1,200 people over the past seven years.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the incident and ordered district officials to the scene.
India\’s state-owned railway network is vast – it operates 9,000 passenger trains and carries some 18 million passengers every day.
Source: Agencies
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