50 killed, 70 injured as passenger trains collide in Pak; Army called in
Two passenger trains collided in Pakistan's southern Sindh Province early Monday morning, killing at least 50 people and injuring 70 others, prompting authorities to call in the Army and paramilitary forces for the challenging task of rescue and relief operations.
The accident occurred when the Millat Express train from Karachi to Sargodha derailed and fell on the opposite track and collided with Sir Syed Express headed from Rawalpindi to Karachi, a spokesperson of Pakistan Railways said.
The collision, in which bogies of the Millat Express train overturned, took place near Dharki, a city located in the Ghotki district of upper Sindh.
An emergency has been declared at hospitals in Ghotki, Dharki, Obaro and Mirpur Mathelo where injured were rushed.
At least 50 people have lost their lives and 70 others sustained injuries, ARY News quoted Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Usman Abdullah as saying. The deceased included women and some railway officials.
Reacting to the train accident, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was "shocked by the horrific train accident".
"Shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30
passengers dead. Have asked the Railway Minister to reach the site & ensure medical assistance to injured & support for families of the dead. Ordering comprehensive investigation into railway safety faultlines," he said on Twitter.
Sir Syed Express train's driver Aijaz Shah said that he was rescued by locals after two hours of the collision. He said that the train was running at its normal speed when he suddenly saw
the derailed bogies of Millat Express train at the track. Due to the short distance, the train rammed into the derailed bogies of Millat Express, leading to the accident, the report said.
Officials were facing difficulties in rescuing the people trapped inside the overturned bogies.
Speaking to Geo News, the
Ghotki Deputy Commissioner said that 13 to 14 bogies have derailed in the accident while six to eight were "completely destroyed".
Rescuing passengers who are still trapped is a "challenge" for the rescue officials, he said, adding that a relief train has departed from Rohri.