Islamabad: At least 30 people were killed and 50 others injured after two passenger trains collided in the Ghotki district of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Monday, local authorities said.
Sir Syed Express train, headed from Lahore to Karachi, collided with Millat Express which was derailed on the way to Sargodha from Karachi and fell on the opposite track. As an impact, the bogies of the Millat Express train overturned.
Geo News quoted Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Usman Abdullah as saying that 13 to 14 bogies derailed in the accident and eight bogies had been severely damaged.
Abdullah informed that at least 30 people were killed and 50 others injured. According to him, several people were still trapped in the bogies of the trains and death toll may rise.
Helplines have been started for passengers in Karachi, Sukkur, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed shock over the loss of lives and ordered an investigation into it.
“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,” Mr Khan tweeted.
The railway authorities have formed an investigation committee, being headed by a 21 grade officer to probe the crash, Geo news reported.
The rescue operation was underway and the injured were being shifted to hospitals, where an emergency has been declared.
