Patna-Indore Express tragedy: Centre announces Rs. 3.5 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased

New Delhi [India], Nov. 20 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 3.5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those critically injured in Patna-Indore Express derailment incident, in which 63 people have lost their lives. Prabhu also announced compensation of Rs. 25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries. "Ordered Member Traffic to monitor the disaster management controll room personally. He's on job with his entire team," he tweeted. The Ministry of Railways tweeted, "ADRM & CMS Jhansi reached site MoS @Manojsinhabjp w/ Rly Bd members ME ,MRS & GM one way to site,MR @sureshpprabhu personally monitoring." It further said that "ADRM & CMS jhansi with team reached site,90 injured have been shifted to PHC Pokharaya,CHCh Mati,MR @sureshpprabhu monitoring closely." The Ministry stated that the stranded passengers are being moved from site to the Malasa station, adding that the injured passengers are moved to the Kanpur Dehat hospital. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have reached the spot and have swung into action along with the police in pulling out bodies and providing aid to the victims. Rescue operations have been underway since early morning and the death toll is expected to rise, Railway officials said. Almost 14 coaches of the train derailed in the wee hours today causing the major accident resulting in the severe loss of lives. The Indian Railways has issued helpline numbers for assistance. Kanpur Rural DM helpline no: 05111-271050; police-05111-271577; Magistrate Hospital duty 9454416414 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has instructed Principal Secretary Health Arun Kumar Sinha to ensure no shortage of medicines and blood for the treatment of patients from the train accident. He has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to personally monitor the relief operations. Prabhu earlier tweeted that an enquiry has been ordered into the accident and that strict action will be taken against all those responsible. "Sr officers ordered to go to spot immediately, they are on way to accident site.local MP, MLAs other functionaries rushed. MOS going. Rail,Dist,state, NDRF teams are geared up to deal with the accident & offer all kind of help.We r doing our best, to deal with sad accident," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the bereaved. 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 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. (ANI)