Putin, Imran Khan express grief over Amritsar tragedy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed their grief over the train accident in Amritsar, which claimed nearly 60 lives.

Expressing his grief Putin said, "I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy and support to families and friends of killed people and to wish soonest recovery to those injured."

Imran Khan tweeted, "Saddened to learn of the tragic train accident in Amritsar India. Condolences go to the families of the deceased."

61 people including women and children has died and Over 72 were injured in  Amritsar after a train ran into a crowd watching festivities of a Hindu festival on the railway tracks on Friday, said Sub Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Sharma.

The train was coming from Jalandhar when the accident occurred at Joda Phatak near Amritsar, where at least 300 people were watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the train tragedy. He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had ordered a probe into the incident and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He also directed senior officials to rush to the accident site for the rescue operations. The Punjab Chief Minister also set up a crisis management group to monitor the relief and rehabilitation efforts.