Chinese newspapers and websites leveled relentless criticism at railway officials Wednesday for their handling of a train wreck that killed 39 people and left 192 injured.

Railway officials have struggled to explain the reasons for the collision Saturday, which sent several carriages tumbling off a bridge in eastern China. Late Tuesday, they began issuing compensation payments to families of the victims.

China's cabinet, the State Council, has mounted a high-level investigation to determine why the first train stalled in response to a lightning strike. Reports say a sophisticated monitoring system that should have prevented the accident was not in operation.

The official Xinhua news agency identified several other shortcomings in the official response that, it said, have shocked the world and left the public doubting the rail system's professionalism.

Xinhua reported an angry online outburst after it was revealed that some of the wreckage was buried at the site instead of being removed for study. At a press conference, a rail official admitted that reporters may not believe the official explanation that the wreckage was buried to facilitate rescue efforts.

The Shanghai Daily, meanwhile, said a two-year-old girl was found alive in the wreckage almost a day after the crash only because a local police officer defied orders from the rescue headquarters.

The newspaper said a young police captain insisted that his crew continue searching for survivors even after railway officials had given up hope and ordered that crews begin tearing apart the wreckage. Police denied rumors that the captain was punished for defying orders.

State media reported Wednesday that Lin Yan, a relative of a crash victim, has accepted a payment of more than $77,000, becoming the first to be compensated. The reports say officials expect to issue similar payments to families over the next seven to 10 days, offering bonuses to those who settle early.