Amritsar: India train mows down crowd killing scores

The victims were standing on the railway tracks watching celebrations for Dusshera, a Hindu festival marking the triumph of good over evil.

They did not hear the train approach as they watched a firecracker-filled effigy of the demon king Ravana burn.

Children are said to be amongst the dead.

Spectators were watching the effigy burn, and a fireworks display, when many started moving towards the railway tracks a short distance away.

Some reports suggest organisers told people to move away from the firecrackers, while other reports say participants ran towards the track because they were afraid the burning effigy would collapse.

According to eyewitnesses, many on the tracks were busy filming the festivities on their phones, and did not notice the train approaching at high speed.

Police say the noise of the firecrackers and the crowd may have stopped victims from hearing the train.

The train that hit the crowds was travelling from Jalandhar to Amritsar.Eyewitness Amar Nath told BBC Punjabi that people were "mauled" by the train.

"I removed the bodies from the tracks... my hands were full of blood."

Local resident Amit Kumar told the BBC the celebrations were a regular occurrence: "Every year, people sit on the tracks when festivities take place here".

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described the incident as "absolutely tragic", and wrote in a tweet that local authorities were being "mobilised".

"We will do everything possible to assist the injured," he said, adding: "[I] have directed the district administration to leave no stone unturned to ensure the best possible treatment for them."

He said that victims would be given medical aid for free.

A state of mourning has been declared - offices and schools in Punjab will be closed on Saturday, Reuters reports.[bbc sources]