Aurangabad Rail Accident: 16 Labourers Killed in a Tragic Accident

The worst casualties are being faced by the poor labourers due to the havoc caused by Coronavirus, lockdown and loss of employment. When the work got stopped due to lockdown, then lakhs of workers got stranded at their worksite. Most of the labourers who could not afford to stay for more days left for their home. About 16 such labourers who had left on foot to reach home fell victim to an accident and died. More than 16 labourers were crushed when a freight train was passing near Badnapur-Karamad railway station in Aurangabad, Maharashtra on Friday morning. In this accident, 16 workers have died, while some other workers have also been injured.

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Workers Who Died Were All from Madhya Pradesh

According to the press release issued by the Indian Railways, the workers who died were all from Madhya Pradesh and were employed in the SRG Company in Jalna, Maharashtra. On 5 May, all these labourers started their journey from Jalna. Earlier, all these labourers were walking by road but near Aurangabad onwards they started walking along the railway track.

Labourers Slept On the Track to Get Rest

After walking for about 36 km when all the workers got tired, they laid down for rest near the track and slept there. 16 people slept on the track, 2 at a nearby distance and the remaining 3 slept at a faraway distance. Out of these, 16 people have died. The rest who have been injured have been rushed to the hospital. Railways said that 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. The injured have been taken to the Aurangabad Civil Hospital and an inquiry has been ordered.

Enquiry Orders Have Been Given by Ministry of Railways

After this accident, an inquiry has been ordered by the Railway Ministry. Shri Ram Kripal, Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Central Circle, will hold an independent inquiry in today’s labourers run over incident in Parbhani-Manmad section of Nanded Railway division of South Central Railway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the accident. PM Modi said “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”. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has announced a compensation of Rs 5-5 lakh to the families of all the dead, as well as the treatment of the injured, is being monitored.

There have been many such cases these days in many parts of the country, where there has been an accident with the workers going home on foot or they have died due to hunger and thirst. Everyone is worried about the havoc caused by Corona and the misfortune on the poor labourers.