At least 100 people were killed and over 226 injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed near Pukhrayan of Kanpur Dehat district in India on Sunday.The tragic accident took place at around 3am near Pukhrayan, about 100 kms from Kanpur, when the passengers were fast asleep. Rescue operations are under way since early morning and the death toll is expected to rise, railways officials said. Though the cause of the derailment is not known as of now, sources said the nature and timing shows that the accident was caused by a rail fracture. However, the exact reason would be known only after an inquiry.The ministry said that the stranded passengers are being moved from site to the Malasa station, adding that the injured passengers are being taken to the Kanpur Dehat hospital. ‘All hospitals have been asked to be on alert. More than 30 ambulances have been pressed into service,’ IG (Kanpur range) Zaki Ahmed told PTI. Over 250 police officials are carrying out the rescue and relief operations. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have also reached the spot and have swung into action along with the police, pulling out bodies and providing aid to the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for seriously injured in the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences to the bereaved.Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu also 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. Prabhu also announced compensation of Rs. 25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for families of those killed in derailment and Rs 50,000 for seriously injured. Akhilesh Yadav has also instructed Arun Kumar Sinha, principal secretary of state’s health ministry 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.Railways minister Prabhu earlier tweeted that inquiry 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 are doing our best, to deal with sad accident,’ he said. 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 also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to personally monitor the relief operations.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.Source: Times of India