Families of victims to get Rs. 1 lakh compensation

A view of the accident site at Penukonda railway station where the Hampi Express collided with a goods train on Tuesday morning. Photo: R.V.S. Prasad

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananada Gowda on Tuesday announced Rs. 1 lakh compensation to the families of victims from Karnataka who had died in the train accident near Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Gowda said Rs. 25,000 will be paid to each injured person and all treatment expenses will be borne by the State government.

As many as 25 persons were killed and 76 injured when the Bangalore-bound Hampi Express collided with a stationary goods train. “Most of the deceased and the injured are from Karnataka. The condition of some of the injured are said to serious,” Mr. Gowda told mediapersons here on Tuesday.

Mr. Gowda, BJP State president K.S. Eshwarappa and other leaders are in Mangalore to attend the State-level youth summit organised by the BJP Yuva Morcha.

Accident site

Mr. Gowda said a team of officials, headed by Kolar district in-charge Minister Varthur Prakash, has been sent to the accident site to help in relief operations. Mr. Gowda promised all possible support to the families of victims.