At least 22 passengers dead, over 50 injured after 10 bogies of Hazara Express derail near Nawabshah
NAWABSHAH/LAHORE, August 06 (SABAH): As many as 10 bogies of Havelian-bound Hazara Express derailed near Sarhari Railway Station on Sunday, killing at least 22 passengers and injuring over 50 others in a deadly train crash, 275 kilometers away from Karachi and 20 kilometers away from Nawabshah. The death toll could increase as the rescue activities at the site of the accident are underway. The killed and injured persons include women, children and men.
The train operations to and from the interior districts of Sindh were suspended after the train crash, which is feared to cause major material and life losses.
Railway authorities said that it may take up to 18 hours to restore operations, while the recovery of the tracks will also take time, as it requires removing the bogies.
As per details, the wounded passengers were shifted to the People’s Medical Hospital in Nawabshah. Authorities fear more injuries as the ill-fated train is said to be carrying a large number of people. The reason behind the train derailment still remains unknown.
The train, comprising of 17 bogies with a capacity of 950 passengers in its economy class and 72 in its air-conditioned standard coach, went off track on its way to Havelian from Karachi in district Sanghar, the senior superintendent of police said.
He said that 10 Station House Officers, four district superintendent of police (DSPs) and more than 100 police personnel are participating in rescue work.
A large number of police personnel from the Police Training Center are also present for relief work.
Pakistan Army also joined the relief activities at the site of accident after special instructions issued by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir.
Additional troops were also called in from Hyderabad and Sakrand with army aviation helicopters. The military personnel will reach site with edibles for the rescued passengers.
Helicopters are also sent for rescue so that the precious lives of the injured can be saved as soon as possible with rescue helicopters. Officials of Pakistan Army and Rangers are also reaching the accident site with food items
The rescue operation of Pakistan Army will continue till the transfer of the last injured to the hospital and rehabilitation of the people trapped at the accident site.
Meanwhile, the Rangers’ sources told a private TV channel that personnel of the paramilitary force have also been dispatched for rescue work as per Sindh Rangers Director General (DG) Major General Azhar Waqas.
“Trained personnel have been sent to the accident site for immediate rescue,” the sources said, adding that the personnel will immediately transfer the injured to the hospital.
Ambulances have also reached the site where medical aid and food is being provided to the rescued passengers.
Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Saad Rafique, during a press conference, said someone could have “deliberately” caused the accident and it could also be a mechanical fault.
“First, we will provide relief and then investigate. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is reaching the site. Emergency has been imposed in hospitals in Sukkur,” the federal minister said.
Earlier, Railways Divisional Superintendent Sukkur Mahmoodur Rahman confirmed that 10 bogies had gone off track in the train crash.
He added that a train to carry out relief activities was sent to the site of the incident from the Loco Shed Rohri. It will take at least three hours to reach the site. “Due to the accident, the traffic on the up track is suspended,” he told.
The police said rescue efforts to recover passengers from the affected bogies are being carried out at the moment. Emergency, as per local administration, was imposed in nearby hospitals following the accident.
It may be noted that the same locomotive — heading to Havelian from Karachi — had escaped a grave accident in March this year after railway officials put a rusted train on tracks. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
The latest accident came just a day after three coaches of Allama Iqbal Express — traveling from Karachi to Sialkot — derailed, but no one suffered injuries.
Pakistan has a shoddy record when it comes to accidents involving trains. In the pas