Lucknow, Sept. 14: At least 16 Kanwariyas were crushed to death by an Express train near Saryu Ghat Railway Station of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday night.

“The tragedy took place on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur route when Kanwariyas travelling in the Lucknow-Gonda train got off in a bid to take water from the Saryu River, for offering at a temple at Karnelganj,” said Northern Railway Divisional Magistrate, Ashima Singh.

When the Kanwariyas were crossing the track, another train, Gorakhpur-bound Intercity Express crushed them to death, Singh added.

Many jumped into the river to escape the train.

Police, Armed Constabulary divers and boat had been pressed on duty to trace the missing Kanwariyas. However, the rescue operation was slow due to darkness.

Following the accident, a mob of Kanwariyas set cabins of the railway station, some kiosks and a fire tender on fire. The movement of trains came to a halt on the section. (With Inputs from ANI)