ISLAMABAD: Over 30 passengers died and more than 50 injured in a collision between two trains near Ghotki on Monday.
According to reports quoting Railways officials, Sir Syed Express collided with the Millat Express between Raiti and Obaro Railway stations and fourteen bogies derailed. Reports quoting Police sources said four bogies of Millat Express completely destroyed in the accident and the death toll is likely to rise. Relief and rescue efforts are in progress by Pakistan Army at the train incident site near Ghotki.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Rangers troops, Army Urban Search and Rescue team, carrying cutter, hydraulic spreaders, life locators and search cameras specially flown from Rawalpindi, are busy in the relief and rescue efforts.
Rescue 1122 team from Rahim Yar Khan is also part of rescue operation and frame cutting of train is in progress to evacuate people inside bogies. Most of the injured have been evacuated to hospitals of Rahim Yar Khan, Ghotki and Mirpur Mathelo.
Seriously injured people are being evacuated to Pano Aqil through helicopter. Meanwhile, in a statement Ministry for Railways Azam Khan Swati said a joint rescue operation is underway at the site by Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Army, Rangers, District Administration, Rescue 1122 and Sindh Police are taking part in the operation.
He said steps are being taken to prevent occurring of such incidents in the future. Pakistan Railways has announced special telephone numbers to facilitate passengers’ families and relatives to obtain information.
The telephone numbers are 041-9200488, 051-9270834, Rohri and Sukkur 071-5813433, 071-9310087. President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the train accident.
Condoling with the bereaved families, the President prayed for the departed souls. Prime Minister Imran Khan has also expressed his grief and sorrow over the horrific train accident at Ghotki.
In a tweet on Monday, the Prime Minister asked the Minister for Railways to reach the site and ensure medical assistance to injured and support for families of the dead. Imran Khan ordered comprehensive investigation into the railway safety fault lines.
Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati also ordered an inquiry into the deadly incident. A spokesperson of Ministry of Railways said the preliminary investigation will be completed within twenty-four hours.
The spokesperson confirmed the death of thirty passengers in the incident. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain in a tweet said Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered investigation into the train incident as reasons of accident should be thoroughly reviewed. He said it is not clear right now that the incident was a terror act, technical fault or human error.