In a tragic incident at least 91 people were killed and over 150 injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan in Kanpur dehat district in the wee hours on Sunday.
Here are the LIVE updates:
MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s condoles the loss of lives
10:30
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences:
Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives due to the derailing of the Patna-Indore express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2016
Prayers with those injured in the tragic train accident. I’ve spoken to @sureshpprabhu, who is personally monitoring the situation closely.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2016
10:20
UP government announces an ex-gratia of Rs 5Lakh each to the deceased in train accident; Rs 50,000 for serious injury; Rs 25,000 for normal injury.
10:10
Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu announces ex-gratia of Rs 3.5 lakhs for deceased families.
1/Enhanced amount of ex-gratia compensation to the victims of this unfortunate accident:Rs.3.5 L in case of death
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) November 20, 2016
2/Rs.50 thousand in case of grievous injury and Rs.25 thousand in case of simple injury
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) November 20, 2016
3/This is in addition to the compensation which will be available through Railway Claims Tribunal
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) November 20, 2016
10:00
Rajnath Singh asks NDRF to help in rescue in relief measures.
Spokesperson of Indian Railways, Anil Saxena, said, “Senior officials and medical team have been rushed to the spot. We are in contact with the district officials officials.”
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The mishap took place at around 3 AM near Pukhrayan, about 100 kms from here, when the passengers were fast asleep.
“As of now 45 persons have died in the incident,” UP ADG, Law and Order, Daljeet Chowdhury said.
“Over 150 injured people have been rushed to nearby hospitals in the area. All hospitals have been asked to be alert. More than 30 ambulances have been pressed into service,” IG (Kanpur range) Zaki Ahmed told PTI.
Over 250 police officials are involved in carrying out the rescue and relief operations.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered a probe into the train tragedy.
“All rescue relief work is on to deal with the unfortunate accident. All medical and other help rushed.
Inquiry ordered. Situation monitored closely,” Prabhu said in a tweet.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has instructed the DGP to personally monitor the relief operations and deploy traffic police along the route of the mishap site to ensure green corridor for ambulances to reach hospitals quickly.
Kanpur district officials have been instructed to take support of Indian Medical Association to avail the services of more doctors for extending medical support to train accident patients, the CM said.
More ambulances/roadways buses have been rushed to the spot for speedy relief operations, the CM said.
DG Health & ADG (Law and Order) have also been rushed to the accident spot to monitor the relief operations.