At least 20 people were killed and several injured as more than 10 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express ran off the tracks near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh of India on Sunday (November 20).

The incident took place at around 3:00 am near Pukhrayan, about 100 km from Kanpur, reports NDTV.

India’s Northern Central Railways spokesperson Vijay Kumar said that doctors and senior railway officials have reached the spot. The cause of the derailment was not known immediately.

Buses have been called in to help passengers complete their journey, Kumar said.

District administration along with railway officials are carrying out rescue and relief operations, he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has directed the Director General of Police to personally monitor the relief operations.

India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the National Disaster Response Force has been also been sent in.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted about the accident saying an inquiry had been ordered into the incident and announced compensation for the victims.

BDST: 0822 HRS, NOV 20, 2016
SR