Railways on Friday rushed its top officials to Amritsar as several Dussehra revellers were run over by a passing train, while Union minister Piyush Goyal said immediate relief and rescue operations are being conducted.

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Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are rushing to the spot, officials said.

"Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred in Amritsar. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the injured to recover quickly. Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations," Goyal tweeted from the US where he had gone to attend an event.

At least 60 people were killed in the accident. The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak where at least 300 people were watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks.

â–º Amritsar Railway helpline number

0183- 2223171, 0183 2564485.

â–º Telephone numbers at Manawala station

Railways - 73325BSNL - 0183-2440024

â–º Telephone Nos at Power Cabin ASR

Railways - 72820BSNL - 0183-2402927

â–º Two FCT nos are provided at Gate

97792328809779232558 â–º 7986897301 - Vijay sahota,SSE /Tele

â–º 7973657316 - Vijay patel SSE/Tele at site 

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who is in the US, has cancelled all his engagements there to rush back. He tweeted, "Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations." 

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kin of each deceased and free treatment for the injured.

The accident comes days after five people died and around 35 injured after five coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express derailed near Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on October 12.