Kanpur [India], Nov. 20 : With massive rescue operations in full swing to pull out bodies from the wreckage of the derailed Indore-Patna Express here today, the death toll in the tragic accidently has mounted to a staggering 91.
Daljeet Chaudhary, Additional Director General (Law and Order, U.P.) confirmed to ANI that the death toll stands at 91 for now.
At least 153 people have been injured and several bodies are still trapped under the wreckage of the mangled coaches after the train derailed early morning on Sunday at the Hanshi-Kanpur intersection in Uttar Pradesh at 3.20 a.m.
Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is rushing to the site to personally monitor the situation and is in constant touch with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
The Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. five lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs. 50,000 for seriously injury and Rs. 25,000 for those with minor injuries. Suresh Prabhu earlier today announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 3.5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those critically injured. Prabhu also announced a compensation of Rs. 25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries. "Ordered DG/Rail Health services and DG/RPF to proceed to accident site to help supervise rescue and relief," he tweeted.
The rescue and relief operation is currently underway. One army column, a team of doctors and paramedics have been deployed at the spot to help in the rescue operation.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Varanasi and one NDRF team from Lucknow have been sent to the accident spot to assist in the rescue operation.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha has ordered for a high-level probe into the incident. Almost 14 coaches of the train derailed in the wee hours today resulting in severe loss of lives. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the bereaved kin of the victims.
Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said that he is anguished beyond words on the loss of lives and said that his thoughts are with the bereaved families.
"Prayers with those injured in the tragic train accident. I've spoken to @sureshpprabhu, who is personally monitoring the situation closely," he added. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also offered his condolences saying he was deeply pained by the loss of lives and that his thoughts are with the bereaved families.
"I have spoken to DG NDRF and instructed him to rush NDRF teams to Pukhrayan. He is also leaving for Pukhrayan to oversee the rescue ops," Rajnath tweeted. Meanwhile, Railways Ministry spokesperson Anil Saxena told ANI that several people have been rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries, and the casualties may go up.
Source: ANI
