Twelve people were killed in the Shramjeevi Express blast between Jaunpur and Sultanpur stations, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said in Varanasi.

An inquiry would be conducted jointly by the railway safety commissioner, state government and central government agencies to find out what caused Thursday's blast, Lalu Yadav told reporters on Friday.

"Fifty two injured persons were admitted at the Sir Sundarlal Hospital of the Banaras Hindu University and the condition of 20 was serious," he said after visiting the hosptial.

• Delhi-Patna express blast kills 10

"All medical treatment would be provided to the injured free of cost," he said, adding it was a very tragic incident. The minister announced Rs 1 lakh ex gratia to the next of the kin of those dead in the blast and job for one member each from victims' family.

Those who were seriouly injured would also be provided with jobs, Lalu Prasad added.

Meanwhile, the Northern Railway has issued a statement in New Delhi listing the names of the eight grievously injured in the blast.

They are: Shri Krishna Gupta, Om Prakash, Ramu S/O Ramuddin, Mantu Rawat S/O Ravindra Rawat, Raj Kumar S/O Hwarilal Rawat, Manni Paswan S/O Shiv Balak, Saroj Yadav S/O Raghubir Yadav, Ramratan Paswan S/O Ram Dutt Paswan.