In a tragic train incident, at least 25 people lost their lives, and over 80 were left injured when nearly 10 bogies of the Hazara Express, heading towards Havelian, derailed near Sahara Railway Station in Nawabshah district of Sindh, located 275 kilometres from Karachi.
Train derailment accidents are, unfortunately, a regular occurrence in Pakistan’s ageing rail system. Successive governments have been attempting to secure funds to renovate and upgrade the rail infrastructure as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative for infrastructure projects.
Benazirabad’s Deputy Inspector General of Police, Younis Chandio, reported that nine out of the ten wrecked bogies had been cleared, and both the injured and deceased had been removed. However, he noted that the remaining bogie necessitates heavy machinery for clearance.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation Underway
The specific cause leading to the derailment is yet to be determined. After the accident, the injured passengers were transported to the People’s Medical Hospital in Nawabshah by local authorities and people on-site. The hospital is equipped to accommodate around 1,000 people.
The derailment caused an immediate halt in train operations to and from the interior districts of Sindh, disrupting the routines of thousands of people. Railway authorities have estimated that restoring operations may take up to 18 hours.
With the train reportedly carrying more passengers than its capacity, authorities fear extensive material damage and loss of life. The train, which was travelling from Karachi to Havelian, comprised 17 bogies and had a capacity of 950 passengers in its economy class and 72 in its air-conditioned standard coach, according to the senior superintendent of police.
He also informed that the rescue operation is being undertaken by a team of 10 station house officers (SHOs), four district superintendents of police (DSPs), and over 100 police personnel.
Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique, has suggested two possibilities for the cause of the accident: it could have been a deliberate act or a mechanical error. He emphasized that relief efforts would be prioritized before initiating an investigation. The Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, is expected to reach the accident site soon, and an emergency has been imposed in hospitals in Sukkur.
A large contingent of police personnel, army troops, and paramilitary force officials, the Rangers, assist in the relief operations. Food, medical aid, and additional support are being provided to the rescued passengers.
