Rae Bareli train derailment: Sonia extends condolences to deceased's family

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday extended her condolences to the family members of those killed in the tragic rail accident in Bachhrawan town of Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district.

"Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed shock and dismay at the tragic rail accident in Bachhrawan, Rae Bareli. She has extended her condolences to family of deceased and expressed hope that government was taking adequate compensation measures," said a statement by the Congress Party.

Around 22 people died and over 50 others suffered injuries when an engine and two coaches of the Dehradun-Varanasi Janta Express derailed earlier today after its brakes failed to deploy on time.

The injured people have been rushed to nearby hospitals and rescue and relief operations are under way at the accident site.

Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha, would visit the place later in the day.

"The train was supposed to stop at the Ganga-Gomti crossing. The brakes were failed and the train was at a very high speed, which turned it turtle," an eye witness said.

An inquiry has been ordered into the accident by the government. The government has announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the next of the kin and Rs 50,000 to those injured.