NEW DELHI, May 8 (Xinhua)

At least 15 people died and a few injured, two of them seriously, in India's southwestern state of Maharashtra early on Friday morning, when a oil train-tanker moved over them while they were sleeping over the railway tracks, confirmed an Indian Railways spokesman.

The accident occurred in the Parbhani-Manmad Section of Indian Railways at around 5:22 a.m. (local time).

The empty oil train-tanker was moving from Cherlapally railway station in southern state of Telangana towards Maharashtra.

The mishap occurred between Badnapur and Karmad railway stations.

"Unfortunately around 20 persons were sleeping on railways tracks.

The oil train-tanker moved over them. 15 died on the spot.

Two are seriously injured and three got minor injuries.

The injured have been admitted to a government hospital in Aurangabad city," said Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Central Railway Ch. Rakesh.

According to media reports, the victims were migrant labourers hailed from the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

"During the prevailing countrywide Lockdown conditions, they were walking down to their hometown. On their way, they were exhausted of walking and decided to take rest on the railway tracks," Aurangabad Superintendent of Police Mokshada Patil told local media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. "Have spoken to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided," he tweeted. Enditem.

(Xinhua)