16 migrant workers mowed down by goods train in Maharashtra's Aurangabad; PM Modi expresses anguish

Over a dozen people, most of them migrant workers, including some kids, were crushed to death by a train in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, on Friday morning.

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All 16 killed were returning to Madhya Pradesh and had slept on railway tracks, 2 of 5 survivors injured.

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The accident happened on the Aurangabad-Jalna railway line under the limits of Karmad police station, and cops have rushed to the spot.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish at the incident.

"Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided," he tweeted. 

The workers, who were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna in central Maharashtra along rail tracks, were returning to their home state Madhya Pradesh, an official at the Karmad police station said.

They were sleeping on rail tracks due to exhaustion when they were run over by the goods train coming from Jalna, he said.

"The labourers, working in a steel factory in Jalna, left for their home state on foot last night. They came till Karmad and slept on tracks as they were tired," police officer Santosh Khetmalas said.

(With inputs from agencies)