KARACHI, Pakistan: Two passenger trains collided on Thursday morning near Landhi Railway Station in Karachi which caused deaths of at least 19 persons including two women and a child while more than 50 others received injuries.
The collision occurred as Bahauddin Zakaria Express struck Fareed Express from behind near Landhi Railway Station.
“At least 12 people have died and dozens are injured,” Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation said while talking to media.
The dead bodies and injured were being shifted to various hospitals in Karachi including Jinnah Hospital..
Meanwhile, an Investigation Committee was formed headed by Federal Inspector of Railways to probe the accident.
The Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the Investigation Committee would begin probing from Friday, adding that stick action would be taken against responsible people as per Committee’s findings.
The railways minister also announced a compensation of Rs100,0000 for those who lost their lives in the accident whereas Rs5,00000 would be given to injured persons.
I am directly in contact with D.S RAILWAY, supervising the emergency activities. Really sad over loss of precious souls.
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) November 3, 2016
Railways sources said that the accident took place at 07:28 am due to negligence on part of Zakaria Express’s driver. They said that the driver ignored the signals.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over loss of precious lives in Karachi Train incident.
The president directs the concerned Officials to investigate into incident and extend maximum assistance to victims.
Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Maryam Aurangzeb also expressed her deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives due to collision of Trains in Karachi and accident on Motorway.
In her statement, the State Minister prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear this loss with fortitude. She also prayed for early recovery of the injured.
Nine dead near Sukheki interchange
Separately, nine persons were dead and 70 injured when 12 vehicles struck each other on motorway near Sukheki interchange because of dense Smog.
