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President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives and wished “speedy recovery” to all those injured in the twin train accidents that took place in Madhya Pradesh last night.

Twelve coaches of the Kamayani Express to Varanasi from Mumbai derailed near Harda in the central state of Madhya Pradesh just before midnight. He said that all passengers have been rescued and those with minor injuries were provided with first aid.

The government has ordered an inquiry into the accident, but Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said it appeared the cause was a “flash flood due to heavy rains”.

Al Jazeera’s Nidhi Dutt, reporting from New Delhi, said there were reports that at least 300 people had been rescued but witnesses were giving accounts “that many people may have been washed away”. Dozens were rushed to hospital.

At least 12 people died after two passenger trains derailed within minutes of each other in central India, officials said Wednesday. Harda district officials said, water was flowing over the tracks when the last five bogies of Kamayani Express derailed.