Chandigarh, February 20:

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced a magisterial probe and an ex-gratia compensation for the victims in the Patiala ammonia gas cylinder explosion that killed three people and injured 11.

Expressing shock and dismay at the tragic loss of innocent lives, the Chief Minister directed a magisterial inquiry that would go into all aspects of the incident and pin responsibility, according to an official spokesperson.

Captain Amarinder has also ordered the Patiala Deputy Commissioner to personally oversee the rescue and relief operations at the mishap site at the food processing unit in Sandharsi village on the Ghanaur-Shambhu road.

The Chief Minister has directed the civil and police administration to extend all possible assistance to the victims and support the joint team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Chemical experts from National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) that is carrying out relief operations.

The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs.1 lac each to the next of the kin of deceased, besides free treatment to the injured, admitted in the Government Rajindra Hospital. The DC, on the directive of the Chief Minister, visited the injured in the hospital.

Expressing shock and grief at the tragic loss of innocent lives, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased victims and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.