The death toll in the passenger train accident near Nawabshah on Sunday increased to 30. According to reports, nearly 1,000 passengers were ravelling in the train.
The Rawalpindi-bound Hazara Express from Karachi derailed near Sarhari Railway Station on Sunday afternoon. Nearly 100 persons suffered injuries in the incident. Addressing presspersons at People’s Medical College Hospital, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah confirmed the death toll, Dawn reported.
Federal Railways Minister Saad Rafiq earlier told the media that the number of casualties could rise as some of the injured were in critical after being hospitalised. He said around 10 bogies had derailed and the cause of the accident is being investigated. On the reason behind the accident, "It was either a mechanical fault or it was developed,” he was quoted as saying by the Dawn.
Pakistan Railways Sukkur Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO) Mohsin Siyal said 15 bodies were retrieved from the wreckage and the rescue work aided by the Pakistan Army was continuing.
Television channels showed the crash site with train compartments badly damaged near the station. They showed rescue workers and police trying to pull out people from the derailed compartments along with civilians who also joined the rescue work.
The state-run Radio Pakistan reported that the Pakistan Army and Rangers have started relief and rescue activities at the accident site. The rescue operation has been started on the special directives of Army Chief General Asim Munir, it added.
Additional troops have been called in to assist the rescue operation. Army Aviation helicopters are also reaching the spot to rescue the injured people.
“The rescue operation of Pakistan Army will continue till the transfer of the last injured to the hospital and the rehabilitation of the people trapped at the accident site,” it said.
A spokesperson of the Pakistan Railways in Karachi said at least eight bogies derailed and the intensity of the accident increased due to delayed application of brakes. The official said the affected bogies would be lifted off the track in a few hours using heavy machines and added that trains departing from Karachi might face delays.
Sunday's accident came just a day after three coaches of Allama Iqbal Express travelling from Karachi to Sialkot derailed, but no one suffered injuries.
(With PTI inputs.)
