Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday expressed deep grief over the loss of several lives in the rail accident near Ratnagiri in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra on Sunday.

In a condolence message from Beijing, Vajpayee who is on a six-day visit to China, conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to members of the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.

At least 34 people, including four women and three children, were killed and 25 injured in the accident, following a landslide in that area.