Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: The death toll in the Kanpur train tragedy has reached 121, while nearly 200 reported injured.
The rescue operation has almost concluded and the effort to remove wreckage of the Indore-Patna Express, which derailed at 3 a.m. on Sunday, is still underway.
Kanpur District Magistrate Ravi Kant Singh confirmed the death toll.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has announced compensation of Rs. 3.5 lakh each for families of those killed, Rs. 50,000 for seriously injured and 25 thousand rupees for minor injury.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also exgratia of Rs.2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed and Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced compensation of Rupees 2 lakh while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also announced ex-gratia of 5 lakh rupees in case of death.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha has reached the site to take stock of the situation.
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)