A collision between two passenger express trains in Ghotki killed at least 40 people and injured scores more on Monday, with the death toll likely to rise as rescuers were still trying to access several mangled coaches.
Ghotki SSP Umar Tufail said the toll rose to 36, and that his men could see four more bodies stuck in the wreckage.
“We have not been able to take them out so far, but an operation is underway for that,” he told reporters at the site. “We have saved three more people; they are injured,” he added.
According to Pakistan Railway (PR) officials, the collision occurred between the Millat Express, which was en-route from Karachi to Sargodha and Sir Syed Express, coming from Rawalpindi. The mishap occurred between Raiti and Obaro railway stations.
A spokesperson of PR added that the accident occurred after the coaches of one train, the Millat Express, derailed and fell across the opposite track, where they were hit by another train, the Sir Syed Express.
“The driver tried to apply emergency brakes but the locomotive hit the infringing coaches,” the railways said in an initial report.
Paramilitary soldiers and rescue workers gather at the site following a collision between two trains in Ghotki, Pakistan.
A rescue train reached the site hours after the fatal crash. Officials were still trying to retrieve bodies and the injured from one of the mangled coaches, with the effort being hampered by lack of appropriate cutters. The Pakistan Army and the paramilitary Rangers also reached the incident site and are taking part in the rescue effort.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said military doctors and ambulances were dispatched from Pano Aqil and were participating in the rescue operation. Army engineers and specialist teams of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) also reached the site after being airlifted from Rawalpindi to aid the effort.
The USAR teams, equipped with disc cutters, hydraulic spreaders and other specialised machinery, are taking part in the rescue operation. Rescue 1122 teams from Rahim Yar Khan are also present and aiding in the cutting of the coaches to rescue those trapped inside.
Most of the injured have been shifted to Ghotki, Rahim Yar Khan and Mirpur Mathelo, said the military’s media wing, adding that those seriously injured in the mishap were evacuated via helicopters.
A relief camp has been established by the military personnel, providing first aid and cooked meals to the passengers.
Paramilitary soldiers and rescue workers gather at the site following a collision between two trains in Ghotki.
Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, who also reached the incident site later in the day, has taken notice of the train mishap and ordered an inquiry.
A spokesperson of the Ministry of Railways said the preliminary investigation will be completed within twenty-four hours.
An injured passenger, who had been travelling on the train that derailed, recounted how one calamity led to another.
“We felt as if we had been thrown away,” the man, who had a bandaged head, told a television reporter from the hospital, speaking of the initial derailing of his train.
“The second train then hit our train that caused more damage,” he said.
Pakistan Railways administration said the families of those who lost their lives in the accident will receive Rs1.5 million and those injured will be given between Rs30,000 and Rs0.5 million, depending on injuries suffered.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was shocked by the ‘horrific accident’ and added that he had asked the railways minister to reach the site of the accident and ensure medical assistance to the injured and support for the families of those who lost their lives in the mishap.
He also said he was ordering a comprehensive investigation into “railway safety faultlines”.
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