NEW DELHI: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Monday expressed deep anguish over the Gorakhdam Express accident in Uttar Pradesh and offered condolences to the bereaved families for the loss of their loved ones.
"Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has expressed deep anguish over the unfortunate accident of Gorakhdam Express, near Khalilabad in UP. He offered his condolences to the bereaved families at the loss of their loved ones," a party statement said.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has already expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap and hoped that the Railways was taking all possible steps to help the affected passengers and their families.
At least nine passengers were today killed and over 82 injured when the Gorakhdham Express derailed and rammed into a stationary freight train near Churaib railway station here.
Railways has declared compensation of Rs one lakh to the next of the kin of dead and Rs 50,000 for those who sustained grievous injuries, besides Rs 10,000 to passengers who suffered minor injuries.
The state government has announced free treatment to the injured and hospitals have been put on alert.
Rail traffic between Delhi and Gorakhpur has been affected and a number of trains have been diverted through other routes, railway officials said.