New Delhi, April 20 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a bus accident in Udhampur and announced ex gratia compensation for the victims.

In a message, Modi said he was pained by the loss of lives in the accident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the mishap.

An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund will be given to the next of kin of each of those who died in the accident, the Prime Minister's Office said.

The injured will be provided Rs 50,000 each from the fund, it added.

The accident occurred in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, where several people were killed and many ot...