Forensic probe ordered into Kanpur rail tragedy: Prabhu

New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday said in the Lok Sabha that a "forensic probe" has been ordered in the Kanpur rail tragedy in which 142 people have died and over 150 were injured.

"There shall be separate comprehensive investigation aided by latest technical and forensic analysis by an appropriate agency to look into all possible angles," Prabhu said.

The Railways Minister said that strictest action would be taken against those responsible.

Prabhu’s remarks came a day after one of the worst rail accidents in the country when 14 coaches of the Patna-Indore Express derailed near Pukhrayan station, about 60 km from Kanpur city.

The worst hit were the sleeper coaches S1, S2, S3 and S4.

This was the worst train accident in the country after the May 2010 disaster in West Bengal involving Gyaneshwari Express in which some 170 people were killed.

The Railways minister also said that old-technology ICF coaches already in operation lack the crash worthy characteristics of modern coaches.

"I had informed this House during the previous Railway budget to progressively replace and phase out such coaches, this will be expedited," Prabhu added.