Goods train crushes 16 migrant workers to death in Maharashtra

At least 16 migrant workers sleeping on rail tracks were crushed to death by a goods train in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district on Friday morning.

The mishap took place at 5.15 am under the Karmad police station jurisdiction.

The Ministry of Raiways tweeted: “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. Inquiry has been ordered.”

According to police officials, the workers were walking along the railway tracks to Bhusawal from Jalna in central Maharashtra, on the way to their hometowns in Madhya Pradesh. “The labourers, working in a steel factory in Jalna, left for their home State on foot last night. They came till Karmad and slept on the tracks as they were tired,” police officer Santosh Khetmalas said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives. “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,” he tweeted.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the victims’ kin. He further said his government is in talks with the Centre, requesting more special trains to take the migrant labourers home.