Kangra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday granted an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the family of those killed in the explosion at the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli.


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On Wednesday evening, an explosion ripped a boiler in NTPC's Unchahar plant in UP's Raebareli district leaving 30 people dead and injuring another 80.



PM Modi on Wednesday condoled the explosion at an NTPC plant and assured that efforts are being made to restore normalcy.


He took to Twitter to express condolences and said that the situation is being closely monitored. "Deeply pained by the accident at the NTPC plant in Raebareli," he wrote on the micro-blogging site. "My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. The situation is being closely monitored & officials are ensuring normalcy is restored."


While few are still feared trapped inside the coal-fired plant, the total number of casualties is likely to go up after the blades of the boiler are cut up, said the Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday evening.


Earlier in the day, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi arrived at Raebareli and met victims of the NTPC power plant blast.


The incident took place on Wednesday when the ash-pipe exploded due to pressure at the NTPC plant in Unchahar area


More than 150 ambulances were pressed into relief and rescue work that was affected by a huge ball of dust that rose after the 500-MW boiler (power generating unit) exploded.


Nearly 22 victims with severe burn injuries have been sent to Lucknow and 15 victims in Raebareli hospital.


In an addition to the PM's declaration, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 50,000 for critically injured and Rs. 25,000 for those with minor injuries.


Among those injured, four are from assistant general manager-rank officials. Three of them first shifted to a private hospital in Lucknow, were being flown to Delhi.


One injured died in Lucknow's civil hospital where eight had been admitted. Medical Superintendent Ashutosh Dube said all of them had 80 to 90 percent burns and are in critical condition.


With ANI inputs)