Priority is to ensure relief, rescue operations are carried out properly: Javadekar on Kanpur train tragedy

Expressing grief over the loss of lives post the Patna-Indore Express derailment, Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said the priority is to ensure that relief and rescue operations are carried out properly.

"It is very unfortunate. Under the guidance of Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu ji and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are fully focusing on the accident and our priority is to ensure that relief and rescue operations are carried out properly," Javadekar said.

Meanwhile, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu echoing similar sentiments dubbed the accident as extremely unfortunate.

"I am pained at the death of citizens in the accident. I pray for the bereaved families and the injured passengers," Naidu said.

The government has ordered an inquiry into the accident with Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu assuring that strict action would be taken against all those responsible.

With massive rescue operations in full swing to pull out bodies from the wreckage of the derailed Indore-Patna Express, the death toll in the tragic accident has mounted to a staggering 97.

At least 153 people have been injured and several bodies are still trapped under the wreckage of the mangled coaches after the train derailed at the Hanshi-Kanpur intersection in Uttar Pradesh at 3.20 a.m.

One army column, a team of doctors and paramedics have been deployed at the spot to help in the rescue operation.

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Varanasi and one NDRF team from Lucknow have been sent to the accident spot to assist in the rescue operation.