Disasters & Accidents

Death toll rises to 62 in Pakistan train accident

Islamabad, Jun 8 (EFE).- The number of deaths in the collision of two trains in southern Pakistan increased Tuesday to 62, while 28 people remain hospitalized, six of them in a serious condition.

The accident occurred early Monday in the Ghotki district of Sindh province, where the Millat Express derailed and collided with Sir Syed Express on the adjoining track.

Ghotki deputy commissioner Mohamed Usman Abdullah told EFE that the death toll had risen to 62 after more bodies were found during the night.

Of the around 100 people injured in the collision, 28 remain hospitalized and six of them are in a serious condition.

Abdullah said search operations were still going on, but there was little possibility of finding more bodies.

A large scale rescue operation was launched by the government and the army to save the dozens of people trapped in the wreckage.

The remote location of the accident site has made these rescue operations difficult, especially in bringing heavy machinery to cut open the metal bodies of wagons in the wreckage.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an investigation into causes of the accident.

“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,” tweeted Khan on Monday.

Pakistan Railways Chairman Habibur Rehman Gilani, on his part, said in an interview with local Geo TV channel that the rail line on the stretch where the accident occurred was old and needed to be replaced.

Train accidents are not uncommon in Pakistan, whose rail network dates back to the time when it was a colony of the British Empire, and from which it gained independence in 1947.

In July last year, at least 19 people died and another 15 were injured when a bus carrying pilgrims of the Sikh minority was hit by a train in the eastern province of Punjab.

In October 2019, a total 73 people were killed in an explosion inside a train the southern part of the country, when a gas cylinder exploded while several passengers were preparing breakfast. EFE

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