President, PM, Sonia express grief over MP deaths

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Saturday condoled the loss of lives in the explosions in Madhya Pradesh`s Jhabua district.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed her condolences.

"I am sad to know about the gas cylinder explosion this (Saturday) morning in Jhabua district in which a large number of people have lost their lives and many others are injured," Mukherjee said in a message to Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav.

He also hoped the authorities would provide all possible aid to the bereaved families and medical assistance to the injured.

"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to all the injured persons," he said in a statement issued here.

Eighty seven people were killed and over 100 injured, 20 seriously, when a cylinder blast at a tea stall packed with customers was followed by a massive blast that ripped through an adjoining building in the district.

Prime Minister Modi said he was extremely pained at the loss of lives due to the cylinder blast.

"My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish all those injured a speedy recovery. MP government is monitoring the situation closely," he said.

Mahajan and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in separate messages, expressed their sadness over the incident and conveyed their condolences.