Kanpur train tragedy: MP CM announces Rs 2 lakh each for deceased victims

Shivraj Singh Chouhan will also give Rs 50,000 to the injured hailing from the state

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the family of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured hailing from the state, who were travelling by Indore-Patna Express, which derailed near Pukhraya in Kanpur dehat district in the wee hours today.

He has also asked state minister Narottam Mishra to visit the accident site to hasten rescue operations, the CM's press aide, H L Choudhary, said.

The Chief Minister said rescue teams from Chhattarpur and Datia districts from the state have been rushed to the spot, adding the victims from MP will get free treatment.

Chouhan held a meeting with Chief Secretary B P Singh, DGP Rishi Kumar Shukla and other top officials here, and took stock of the situation, Choudhary said.

At least 96 passengers were killed and 226 injured, 76 of them seriously, when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhraya in Kanpur dehat district in the wee hours today.

Four coaches of the train - S1, S2, S3, S4- were badly damaged in the mishap that took place at around 3 AM near Pukhraya. Most of the passengers were jolted out of their sleep to find themselves among mangled remains of the bogies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the train tragedy.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered a probe into the train tragedy and announced ex-gratia for the families of the victims.

Chouhan later left from Bhopal for Kanpur by air to reach the site to help the victims, many of whom belong to his state, officials said.