Pakistan Train Accident: Dozens Lost Their Lives In Sindh Collision
According to officials, a train traveling through Sindh province derailed and crashed on another track. A second train, also full of passengers, crashed with it and overturned.
Rescue personnel transported the injured to local hospitals, where it is believed that some are in critical condition.
Over the last several years, Pakistan has suffered a rash of tragic rail accidents.
According to local media accounts, 150 individuals perished in such situations between 2013 and 2019.
Usman Abdullah, a senior official in the Ghokti region, told Reuters that it was really hard to determine how many people were still stuck on the train.
“There are about six to eight bogies [carriages] that are totally smashed… there is a sleeper train, AC [air conditioned] class, as well as economy class, in which there were between 47 to 50 people on this side and around 50 to 60 people on the other train,” he said.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was “shocked” by the catastrophe and vowed a thorough investigation.
Footage from the scene reveals the wreckage of many carriages, which are laying on their sides. The cause of the derailment remains unknown.
Several persons are believed to be still trapped. News agency AFP quoted a railway spokesperson as saying: “The site is far and that’s why we are facing some trouble in the rescue work.”
To tackle the level of casualties, hospitals in the nearby locations have been placed on high alert.
The incident occurred early Monday when the Millat Express from Karachi derailed and fell into another track. The Sir Syed Express from Rawalpindi collided with it and caused it to topple.
According to local media, officials have dispatched a rescue train to the collision scene, and hotline centers have been established for passengers.
