Kanpur train tragedy: PM Modi announces ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh for victims' kin

New Delhi [India], Nov.20 (ANI): Following the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh who announced compensations for the victims of the horrific Indore-Patna express derailment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those killed in the train tragedy that took place near Kanpur today. The Prime Minister also announced Rs. 50,000 as compensation to the survivors of the incident. This compensation is over and above any assistance that would be announced by the railways. The announcement came after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh, earlier, announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh to deceased families, Rs 50,000 for the seriously injued people and Rs 25,000 for people having minor injuries. Similarly Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of deceased and Rs 50,000 for the critically injured. Meanwhile, the casualty rose to 95 even as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is conducting rescue operation at the spot. Help desk has been set up at the Patna Railway Station to assist family members of those on board Indore-Patna Express. Taking stock of the situation, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will be rushing to the spot to monitor the situation. "I shall be rushing to the accident site to personally monitor the situation," Tweeted Prabhu. At least 153 people have been injured so far after the train derailed early morning at the Hanshi-Kanpur intersection in Uttar Pradesh at 3.20 a.m. 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. (ANI)