The Prime Minister also announced Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured. (Photo: Agence France-Presse)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs for the kin of those killed in the twin train accident in Madhya Pradesh, as he expressed distress and pain over the loss of lives in the mishap.
The compensation was sanctioned from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and will be in addition to the relief assistance already announced by the Railways, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.
The PMO also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those who were seriously injured in the derailment of the two trains.
At least 28 people were killed and around 40 injured after the Mumbai-Varanasi Kamayani Express and the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed from the tracks close to Harda, about 160 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.
Railway officials said that a surge of water following heavy rainfalls had weakened the culvert over which the trains were travelling.
"The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased," Prime Minister Modi had tweeted earlier.
"My prayers with the injured. Authorities are doing everything possible on the ground. The situation is being monitored very closely," he said in another tweet.