India rail crash: Death toll hits 145 as rescuers comb through wreckage
Railway minister launches investigation and vows to take 'strictest possible action' against anyone responsible

At least 145 people are now believed to have been killed in India after a train derailed near the village of Pukhrayan, in Uttar Pradesh, in the early hours of Sunday.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, but the Times of India quoted sources as saying a fracture in the track could have been to blame.
Rescue staff using heavy machinery worked through the day and into the night to try to reach survivors.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu, who said he was "personally monitoring the situation closely", warned the "strictest possible action will be taken against those who could be responsible for the accident". He also promised to launch an immediate investigation and begin the process of compensating those injured.
Around 23 million passengers a day use the country's vast train network, the fourth largest in the world. Accidents remain "fairly common in India, where much of the railway equipment is out of date", says the BBC. This was one of the worst, if not the worst, this century.
Last year, India announced an investment of $137bn (£111bn) over five years to modernise and expand the railways.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week Unwrapped: Can bullfighting win over young Spaniards
Podcast Plus, is online fandom inherently unhealthy? And is Putin’s economy running out of gas?
-
Heirs and Graces: an ‘enthralling’ deep dive into the decline of nobility
The Week Recommends Eleanor Doughty explores the ‘bizarre fascination’ with the British aristocracy
-
The week’s best photos
In Pictures A monstrous pumpkin, a sumo showdown, and more
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime minister
In the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Will Starmer’s India visit herald blossoming new relations?
Today's Big Question Despite a few ‘awkward undertones’, the prime minister’s trip shows signs of solidifying trade relations
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?
Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain
-
A private zoo run by Asia's richest family is facing criticism and investigations
Under the radar The zoo is owned by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia's richest person
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieve
IN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters