President Ram Nath Kovind has written to Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, expressing condolences over the lives lost in the Utkal Express derailment near Khautali in Muzaffarnagar district.
Thirteen coaches of the high-speed Utkal Express last evening jumped the rails, with one of them crashing into a house adjacent to the track near Khatauli, leaving 22 people dead and and over 150 injured, 26 of them grievously, officials said.
"I am sad to learn about the derailment of the Puri- Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express at Khatauli near Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, as a result of which a number of persons lost their lives and others sustained injuries," a statement by the Raj Bhawan here said today, citing the President's letter.
"I understand both the state government and the railway authorities are providing all possible assistance to the bereaved families as well as the best of medical attention to the injured. Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to all the injured persons," the letter read.
A probe has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of of the accident, with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu directing Railway Board Chairman to fix responsibility on "prima facie evidence by the end of day".
The train, which was on its way from Puri in Odisha to Haridwar in Uttarakhand, had 23 coaches, of which 13 derailed, said Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi Division, R N Singh.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
