Indore-Patna Train tragedy: Death toll crosses 100, casualties likely to increase

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Nov. 20 (ANI): The death toll in the deadly Kanpur train accident has crossed the 100 mark, as rescue operations continued to pull out more bodies from the wreckage of the Indore-Patna Express, whose 14 coaches got derailed in the wee hours of Sunday. More than 150 people have suffered injuries in the tragedy that took place at around 3 a.m. near Pukhrayan, about 100 kilometres from Kanpur. Speaking to ANI, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order Daljeet Singh Chaudhary, said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army are currently conducting the last phase of the search and rescue operations. "This is the last phase of search and rescue operation, it is likely that more bodies will he recovered. Army and the NDRF teams are jointly carrying out the rescue operation as cranes are now being used to clear up the mangled bogies," he said. Choudhary also pointed out that the casualties may increase as there are few more people trapped inside the bogies. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha has reached the site to take stock of the situation. The Railways has announced ex-gratia of 3.5 lakh rupees each for families of those killed, 50,000 rupees for seriously injured and 25 thousand rupees for minor injury. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also announced ex-gratia of 5 lakh rupees in case of death and 50,000 for seriously injured. The Chief Minister has asked the Director-General of Police to personally monitor the rescue operations. Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into the accident. He said, the Commissioner, Railway Safety, will inquire into reasons behind the derailment. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed heartfelt condolences to families of deceased in the accident. They also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. The Railways have released helpline numbers for the people- Ujjain - 07342560906, Ratlam - 074121072, Orai - 051621072, Jhansi - 05101072, Pukhrayan - 05113270239.(ANI)