Sonia Gandhi expresses grief at GAIL tragedy

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today expressed grief at the tragic fire in a Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) pipeline and extended her condolences to the family of the deceased. Gandhi also urged authorities to provide medical relief to the victims and hoped that such incidents will be prevented in the future.

Congress leader Manish Tewari also called the tragedy unfortunate and expressed his empathy for the victims who died in the accident, and asked the government to concentrate on pipeline security.

He told ANI, "It is imperative that the government concentrates on pipeline security because those who are inimical to India's economic infrastructure will target the pipeline network. There should be an attempt to ensure that this economic infrastructure is properly protected."

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the GAIL pipeline fire in Andhra Pradesh today.

At least 14 people were killed and seven others injured in a fire following a blast in a gas pipeline belonging to GAIL in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district this morning.