Sonia Gandhi expresses grief at loss of lives in train accident

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today expressed grief over the loss of lives in Gorakhdham Express accident and hoped that the Railways was taking all possible steps to help the affected passengers and their families.

"Sonia Gandhi has expressed shock and grief over the unfortunate accident of Gorakhdham Express near Khalilabad in UP today. Anguished at death of passengers, Gandhi extended condolences to the family of the dead and wished a speedy recovery to those injured," the party said in a release. Gandhi also expressed the hope that railways was taking all steps for relief and safety of the victims and stranded passengers, the party said.

At least 20 passengers were today feared killed as the Gorakhdham Express rammed into a stationary freight train in the district. The incident occurred this morning when the express train came on the same track as the freight train near Chureb Railway Station.

Officials in the Railway Board said the mishap occurred due to derailment of the express train. They said six coaches of the train then rammed into a stationary goods train standing on the adjoining track at the station. Out of the six coaches, four were general coaches and two were AC coach-- AC first class and AC two tier.

Railways has ordered an inquiry into the mishap by Commissioner Railway Safety (Northeast circle) P K Bajpayee. They have also ordered a compensation of Rs one lakh to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured. A sum of Rs 10,000 will be given to those who sustained minor injuries. Medical teams have rushed to the spot.