Death toll from Sadiqabad train collision rises to 24

SADIQABAD (92 News) – The death toll from Thursday’s train collision in Sadiqabad rose to 24, as the body was found from the rubble on Friday. During the tragic incident, four bodies, which killed in accident, of a same family were shifted to their residence in Shahkot. However, the funeral prayers of 14-years-old girl were also offered in Chiniot. At least 22 people were killed and about 104 injured when Quetta bound Akbar Express collided with a goods train at Walhar near Sadiqabad on Thursday morning. The Akbar Bugti Express travelling from Lahore to Quetta collided with a stationary freight train at the Walhar Railway Station in Sadiqabad Tehsil of Punjab province. The freight train was standing on the loop line when the passenger train, instead of running on the mainline, went on the wrong track. Three to four bogies of the passenger train derailed while the engine of the passenger train was completely destroyed. According to officials, they have now recovered all the dead and wounded from the wreckage and completed their operation. However, work to remove the rubble will continue today. An initial investigation report into the accident said the failure of the signal system behind the Akbar Bugti Express crashing into the stationary freight train. On the other hand, emergency was declared at all hospitals in Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad after the accident. Pakistan Army teams have also been reached and participating in the rescue operation. Meanwhile, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the accident. He also ordered investigation into the incident. Deputy Commisioner Rahim Yar Khan has established a control room to provide necessary information to the victim families. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9q3MqxPIMk

President, PM express sorrow over loss of live

President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the train accident near Sadiqabad. In their separate messages, they directed to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured. In a tweet, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he has asked Railways Minister to take emergency steps to counter decades of neglect of railway infrastructure and ensure safety standards. Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has also expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the train accident. Earlier June 20, two people were killed and several others injured when two trains collided with each other near Pathankot, Hyderabad.

The victims include Jinnah Express Driver Aslam and assistant drivers Yasir and Nauman.

The accident occurred when Jinnah Express and a freight train came on the same track. The rescue teams reached the spot and launched the operation. Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed said that the train was heading to Hyderabad from Kotri. He said that they had information about two deaths. He added that the investigations are underway whether it is an accident or negligence. The authorities have cleared the down track. The Trains Driver Association office-bearers said that the signal could not be rectified despite the complaint.