GHOTKI, Pakistan: The relief and rescue efforts by Pakistan Army and Rangers troops are underway at Sindh’s Ghotki District wherein two passenger trains collided earlier in the morning, leaving at least 63 passengers dead and further 107 injured.
According to Railways Officials, Sir Syed Express collided with the Millat Express between Raiti and Obaro Railway Stations and 14 bogies derailed.
The Police sources said that four bogies of Millat Express completely destroyed in the accident and the death toll is feared to rise.
Meanwhile, the relief and rescue efforts are in progress at the train accident site by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers troops.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Army Urban Search & Rescue team carrying Disc cutter, Hydraulic spreaders, life locators, and search cameras specially flown from Rawalpindi is busy in relief and rescue efforts.
The ISPR said that the Rescue 1122 team from Rahim Yar Khan is also part of the rescue operation and frame cutting of train in the progress to evacuate people inside bogies.
It said that most of the injured have been evacuated to hospitals of Rahim Yar khan, Ghotki and Mirpur Mathelo while seriously injured people are being evacuated to Pano Aqil through helicopter.
Earlier, the ISPR told that Pakistan Army and Rangers troops had reached the incident site and were carrying out the relief and rescue operation.
The ISPR told that the military doctor and paramedics along with ambulances moved from Pannu Aqil had also reached the incident site. It said that engineer resources had moved to carry out the necessary relief and rescue work.
The ISPR told that the army special engineer team Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) was being heli-lifted from Rawalpindi to the incident site to speed up the relief and rescue efforts.
Furthermore, it told that two helicopters were being flown from Multan for casualties evacuation and speedy relief measures. It added that relief goods were being prepared and would be dispatched shortly.
In a statement, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his grief and sorrow over the horrific train accident at Ghotki.
The prime minister asked the Minister for Railways to reach the site and ensure medical assistance to the injured and support for families of the dead.
Imran Khan also ordered a comprehensive investigation into railway safety fault lines.
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
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 7, 2021
