Death toll of train crash in northern India reaches 145

The deadly train crash in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh has killed 145 people and injured 200 others, officials said on Monday.

The crash occurred following derailment of 14 carriages of the Indore-Patna Express train early Sunday near Pukhrayan town of Kanpur Dehat district, about 149 km southwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

"The death toll in yesterday's rail accident has rose up to 145," Chief Medical Officer of Kanpur Dehat district Anita Singh told reporters.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police Chief Javed Ahmad, of the 145 killed in the tragedy, bodies of 123 had been identified and 110 handed over to their relatives.

Officials feared the death toll would increase in wake of the critical condition of some of the injured in the accident.

Over 500 passengers were on board in the train at the time of accident.

The ill-fated train was traveling from Indore city of Madhya Pradesh to Patna city in Bihar.

On Monday local newspapers carried the accounts of survivors from the accident site, majority of whom were asleep when the train derailed.

Rescuers, who continued their search throughout Sunday night cutting into the metal of mangled coaches, called off their efforts late Monday as there were less chances for the survivors.

However, the lifting of wreckage would continue at the site.

According to railway officials, cause of the derailment leading to deadly crash was being ascertained.

India's Railway Minister Suresh Prabu has ordered an inquiry into the accident. The ministry has asked people to come forward to share their information about the accident.

"Statutory inquiry by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) into this accident has been ordered to determine the correct cause," Prabu said. "There shall be separate investigation involving technical and forensic analysis by an appropriate agency to look into all possible angles."

The minister has promised of strict action against the people responsible for the accident.

The Indian government and railways have announced a compensation for the injured and families who lost their members in the accident.

Kanpur is a major railway junction in north India and hundreds of trains pass through it daily.

Though several trains on the route were diverted and cancelled following the accident, however officials said the track was likely to be made operational on Tuesday.

Train accidents are common in India. Experts blame the outdated infrastructure of railways for most of the accidents.

Last year, Indian government announced an investment of over 137 billion U.S. dollars for the next five years to boost railways and modernize it on new lines.

India's sprawling railways are the world's third largest network, ferrying around 23 million people each day.

A train accident in Uttar Pradesh killed 39 and injured 150 last year. Endit