Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he is anguished by the loss of lives in the Maharashtra train accident in which 16 people were killed.

“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,” PM Modi tweeted on Friday.

He also said that all possible assistance is being provided.

The accident occurred after a goods train ran over them near the Karmad railway station in Aurangabad district in Maharashtra on early on Friday morning. While 16 people were killed, five others were injured.

“So far 16 persons have died in the incident while one is seriously injured. The other four who survived in the incident are being counselled so that we can get more information form them about the mishap,” Aurangabad Superintendent of Police, Mokshada Patil said.

Ch. Rakesh, chief public relation officer, Central Railway, said that the accident occurred at 5.30 am on Friday. “The train was an empty petroleum tank. The loco pilot immediately informed the railway authorities and local police along with Railway Protection Force (RPF) reached the spot. All those injured have been shifted to hospital.” he said.

People were walking on the railway tracks and few others were resting near the tracks, they did not notice, said a senior South Central railway official.

The Railway ministry said on Twitter that the driver of the goods train tried to stop it but eventually hit the workers. It also said that an inquiry has been ordered.

“During early hours today after seeing some labourers on track, loco pilot of goods train tried to stop the train but eventually hit them between Badnapur and Karmad stations in Parbhani-Manmad section. Injureds have been taken to Aurangabad Civil Hospital.Inquiry has been ordered,” the railway ministry said in a tweet.

It further said that the migrant labourers who died in the accident belonged to Umariya and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh.