India Train Crushes Migrant Workers Killing 14

The Indian train ran over migrant workers sleeping on the track on Friday, killing at least 14 of the group, apparently on their way to their home villages, the Railway Ministry and the media said.

Tens of thousands of people have been heading home from the big cities of India, losing their jobs since late March, because of lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The driver tried to stop the freight train when he saw the laborers on the tracks in the western state of Maharashtra, the railway ministry said, adding it had ordered an inquiry.

"I have just heard the sad news about laborers coming under the train, rescue work is underway," Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said on Twitter.

Under the lockdown, all public transport has been suspended so migrant workers heading home often have to walk long distances to get there.

The government has extended the lockdown until May 17.

Source: Reuters