Maharashtra: Train runs over migrant workers in Aurangabad, 14 dead

Mohammed Akhef | TNN | May 8, 2020, Aurangabad: At least 14 migrant workers who were sleeping on the railway tracks were mowed down by a goods train carrying petrol and diesel from Nanded to Manmad, at Gadhejalgaon village in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district on Friday morning. 

Five of them escaped with injuries and they have been rushed to a hospital. 

The accident took place at around 5.30am. 

Sources informed that these migrant workers were working for a major steel plant in the neighbouring district of Jalna.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the tragic accident.

An accident happened near Karmad, Aurangabad when an empty rake of goods wagon ran over some people. RPF and local police are reaching spot to asses the situation. More details awaited, said chief public relations officer

With an intention to reach Aurangabad railway station, which on Thursday flagged off a train to Madhya Pradesh, for boarding trains to their hometown in northern states of India, they started walking from Jalna, which is 65km from here. So as to avoid getting zeroed by the police on the highways, these migrant workers opted for the railway tracks heading Aurangabad. 

After walking for several kilometres, they decided to take rest on the railway tracks between Satana and Karmad, before resuming their journey on Friday morning. 

With no place to go, all of them slept on the railway tracks. On learning about the incident, Aurangabad rural superintendent of police Mokshada Patil, Railway Protection Force teams from Aurangabad and police teams from Karmad police station rushed to the spot. 

Citing the call received by the Aurangabad city police control room, deputy commissioner of police (headquarter) Meena Makwana said, "Aurangabad railway station manager Ashok Nikam informed the police control room that 10 to 15 migrant labourers that were sleeping on the railway tracks have been run over by a goods train carrying petrol – diesel, and heading Manmad from Nanded