In a train accident today near Kanpur, several coaches of the Indore-Patna express derailed.

Highlights 14 coaches of train derail near Pukhrayan, Uttar Pradesh

Accident happened around 3 am; rescue officials, doctors on the spot

Disaster response force sent in, inquiry ordered, says government

Several coaches of the train were severely mangled.

Services were disrupted and several trains on the route were cancelled due to the accident.

Anguished beyond words on the loss of lives due to the derailing of the Patna-Indore express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2016

More than 100 people were killed and nearly 200 injured as 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express ran off the tracks near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh today. The number of deaths could rise, officials fear. The incident took place at around 3 am near Pukhrayan , about 100 km from Kanpur, at a time when most of the passengers were asleep. Television images showed several severely mangled coaches piled up against each other and rescue workers trying to cut through the crumpled metal.Northern Central Railways spokesperson Vijay Kumar said that doctors and senior railway officials reached the spot soon after the accident and rescue operations were underway. The cause of the accident was not known immediately.Daljeet Singh Choudhary, a senior police officer, told NDTV that heavy machinery including gas cutters were being used to rescue trapped passengers. "It is a delicate situation," he said.Most of the casualties are reported from two coaches which are severely damaged, officials said. Stranded passengers were being taken to a nearby station from where a special train will eventually take them to Patna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu who was monitoring the situation closely.Rescuers and medical staff from the Indian Army were helping in the relief operations. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the National Disaster Response Force has been also been sent in.

Enquiry team will start investigation for cause of accident immediately All necessary assistance provided to the affected,We r taking care - Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) November 20, 2016

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted about the accident saying an inquiry had been ordered into the incident and announced compensation for the victims. "Strictest possible action will be taken against those who could be responsible," he said.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav tweeted that he had asked neighbouring district officials to pool in resources for quicker relief operations.