The dead included eight children - five boys and three girls, hospital sources said, adding 18 of the victims were identified and handed over to their kin. Efforts were on to identify the remaining 14 victims.

Thirty-eight persons, including nine children, were still admitted to various city hospitals, deputy commissioner of police (central district) SBK Singh said.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visited the injured at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital and enquired about their condition. Vajpayee, who spent about 30 minutes meeting the injured, instructed the authorities to ensure the best medical attention to them.