Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Friday condoled the death of at least 14 migrants who were run over by a train.
"Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of lives in a train mishap in Aurangabad. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," said Naidu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths on Twitter: "Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided."
"The news of the unfortunate death of innocent workers sleeping on the railway tracks in Aurangabad after being run over by a goods train is heart wrenching. Convey my deepest condolences and sympathies to the next of kin of the deceased," said Koshyari.
The Railway Minister said he was pained to learn about the loss of migrants lives that took place at 5.22 a.m. in Nanded Division''s Badnapur-Karmad stations.
"Today received saddening news of labourers sleeping on railway tracks run over by a goods train. Relief work is on and an enquiry has been ordered. I pray for those who lost their lives."
The Ministry of Railways said that early Friday after seeing some labourers on the track, the loco pilot of a goods train tried to stop the train, but eventually hit them.
The incident occurred in the Parbhani-Manmad section and the injured have been rushed to the Aurangabad Civil Hospital.
Railway officials said that an empty petrol tanker train was proceeding from Cherlapalli in Telangana to Paniwadi, near Manmad in Maharashtra.
"After passing Badnapur station, the loco pilot saw some people on the tracks and tried to control it and sounded the horn also, but by the time he could do, it was too late," South Central spokesperson Rakesh told IANS.
According to information the workers were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna, and further onward to Madhya Pradesh.
Amid the nationwide lockdown, thousands of migrant workers stranded in several other cities have been on an unending toil to return to their native places on foot.
The Railways has started running Shramik Special trains to transport the stranded migrants to their native places since May 1.
Till Thursday, the railways have run 201 Shramik Special trains around the country.
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