NEW DELHI - Over 30 people were killed when a passenger train crashed into a goods train Monday in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, while the toll of casualties could rise as rescue operation was still going on to find survivors inside derailed and crashed coaches.
The Gorakhdham Express crashed into a goods train at Chureb railway station in Sant Kabir Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, when it was traveling from Gorakhpur to Hisar via New Delhi, said police and local media reports.
Initial reports said both trains came on the single track due to signal error. Three general coaches of Gorakhdham Express were badly crushed while six others were derailed, raising speculation that the casualties could rise abruptly as many people were trapped inside the coaches.
The district administration said that 30 people had died in the accident. However, railway officials did not confirm the number of dead and injured.
The railways authorities have ordered an inquiry into the mishap and have also ordered a compensation of 100,000 rupees (1, 600 U.S. dollars) to the family of those killed and 50,000 rupees (800 U.S. dollars) for those seriously injured.
Meanwhile, PM-designate Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the train tragedy.
Local TV footage showed several coaches of the train were derailed or turned turtle and rescuers were trying to get the wounded out of them.
A relief coach has also been dispatched to the scene to help the ongoing rescue operation.
Train accidents take place from time to time in India. On Aug. 19, 2013, the Rajya Rani Express train struck a large group of people at the Dhamara Ghat train station in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, killing 37 people.
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