DEATH TOLL FROM PAKISTAN TRAIN COLLISION RISES TO 37, DOZENS INJURED

Mon 07 June 2021:

At least 37 people were killed and dozens of others injured early Monday in a collision between two passenger trains in southern Pakistan, officials and local media reported.

The collision between the northbound and southbound trains occurred near Ghotki district in southern Sindh province, located 526 kilometers (326 miles) from the provincial capital Karachi.

Deputy Commissioner Ghotki Usman Abdullah told reporters that the accident occurred after rear carriages of the northbound Millat Express derailed and drifted to the parallel track, resulting in a collision with the southbound Sir Syed Express.

Footage aired on local broadcaster Geo News showed rescue workers and locals pulling bodies and the injured out and loading them into ambulances. The badly damaged train cars were seen lying on the track.

Kamran Afzal, a top police officer in the region, said 37 bodies have been recovered and 60 injured people were rushed to hospitals.

Train Collision In Ghotki district of Pakistan . More than 30 deaths till now . Thoughts and Prayers with victims and their families #GhotkiTrainAccident #PakistanTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/zi27h022VP

— Viral Stringer (@StringerViral) June 7, 2021

VIDEO: Mangled metal, bulldozers at site of deadly Pakistan train crash.

Images of the site of a train crash in Pakistan that killed over 30 people. A packed inter-city train hit another express that earlier derailed pic.twitter.com/dIgqOn4epO

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 7, 2021

Rescue workers and military troops continued their operation to recover over two dozen passengers still trapped in the wreckage.

Army officers and Rangers personnel have arrived at the crash site in Ghotki and are currently involved in relief activities, said the ISPR.

Military doctors and paramedics, with ambulances moved from Pannu Aqil, have also reached the crash site.

“Engineer resources have been moved to carry out necessary relief and rescue work,” said the military’s media wing. “Army special Engineer Team Urban Search and Rescue ( USAR) being heli-lifted from Rawalpindi to the incident site to speed up relief and rescue efforts,” it added.

The ISPR said that two helicopters are being flown from Multan to evacuate casualties and carry out speedy relief measures. The ISPR added that relief goods are being prepared and will be dispatched shortly.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed shock at the loss of lives arising from the Ghotki train accident, ordering a “comprehensive investigation” into the matter.

Taking to Twitter, the prime minister reacted to the incident, instructing Railways Minister Azam Swati to arrive at the site and help the injured with the provision of medical assistance.

Shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30 passengers dead. Have asked Railway Minister to reach site & ensure medical assistance to injured & support for families of the dead. Ordering comprehensive investigation into railway safety faultlines

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 7, 2021

“Shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30 passengers dead. Have asked Railway Minister to reach the site and ensure medical assistance to the injured and support for families of the dead. Ordering a comprehensive investigation into railway safety fault lines,” he tweeted.

Pakistan has had a long history of train accidents, mainly because of poor infrastructure and a lack of safety standards.

On Oct. 31, 2019, more than 70 people died in an explosion on a moving train near Rahimyar Khan district of northeastern Punjab province which officials later blamed on a fire caused by a short-circuit.

At least 19 members of a small Sikh community died in a collision between a bus and a train in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district in July last year.

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent