D.D. Pandey, the station master of Khalilabad railway station near which the accident took place, absconded soon after the accident. He apparently gave the green signal to the passenger train while the goods train was standing on the same track.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav offered condolences to the victims' families and deputed state Health Minister Ahmad Hasan to oversee the rescue and relief operations.
Besides, he directed the district authorities to provide prompt medical help to those injured.
Bharatiya Janata Party national president and MP from Lucknow Rajnath Singh and former UP chief minister Mayawati also offered their condolences.
