MUMBAI : In a tragic case of mistaken safety, fifteen migrant workers from a group of 20 were killed after a cargo train ran them over while asleep on tracks in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad early this morning. Four survivors in state shock are being counseled while the fifth has been hospitalised with injuries.
The migrants were headed to Bhusaval 157 km away on foot, when they chose to sleep on the tracks at nightfall - a place they assumed was safe, given that trains services have been suspended during the ongoing lockdown.
The cargo train passed the fateful spot at 5.15 am between Badnapura and Karnad stations in Parbhani-Manmad section. The tracks were strewn with food the mean carried, footwear and other personal belongings.
According to the Railways, the loco pilot spotted the sleeping men and tried hard to stop the train, but it was too late when it ground to a halt.
