‘They’re exhausted, fell asleep’
A train in western India has ran over migrant workers sleeping on the tracks, killing at least 14 among a group of people returning to their villages, according to officials.
Tens of thousands of labourers have been walking home from India's key cities after losing their jobs in recent weeks because of a lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The railways ministry yesterday said the driver of the freight train in Maharashtra state tried to stop in time but failed. Fourteen people were killed and five were injured, according to spokesman, CH Rakesh.
The ministry said it had ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Police said the labourers worked for a steel company and were walking to their village in the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh.
"They had been walking all night, they were exhausted and fell asleep on the tracks," a police officer said.
Amid the nationwide lockdown, thousands of daily wagers and other migrants from big cities undertook epic journeys to reach home — walking, cycling and hitching rides when they could — in the absence of public transport.
Some made it, some are still on their way while some others just gave up on the way. There have been several reports of workers desperate to be with their families in the uncertain days of a pandemic but dying before they reached their destination.
Although states announced special trains to return migrant labourers, many continue to walk long distances to reach their villages.
Local media reported some provinces were charging for the rail tickets, which most can't afford.
The nationwide lockdown, which began on March 25, was first extended till April 14, then till May 3 and finally till May 17 with a few relaxations built in. The unprecedented move to stem the spread of COVID-19 triggered possibly the biggest movement of people since Partition.
According to a report by SaveLIFE Foundation, at least 42 migrants died in road accidents while attempting to return home during the Coronavirus lockdown.
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