Lahore-bound train collides with freight train near Lakha Road; Railway Minister takes note and orders high-level investigation
KARACHI:
At least one person was killed and 12 others injured when the Lahore-bound Shalimar Express collided with a stopped freight train on a circular line near Lakha Road station in Sindh’s Nowshehro Feroz on Sunday, a Rescue 1122 official said. The express PAkGazette.
Upon receiving information at its Central Command and Control, Rescue 1122 dispatched its Urban Search and Rescue team from the Bandhi satellite station, which reached the spot and initiated rescue operations.
Hassan Al-Haseeb, spokesman for Rescue 1122, said The express PAkGazette that during the operation the rescuers removed the injured and provided first aid at the scene, while the body of one person was also recovered. About 10 people, including three women, were injured in the accident and received immediate medical assistance, he said.
The injured were identified as Javed Ahad (60), M Owais (25), Shahzeb (23), Sajida (30), Nimra (22), Azhar Ali (22), Ghulam Mustafa (21), Riaz (21), Zaibunnisa (40), Arif Khan (30), Tayyabur Rehman (23), Ghulam Abbas (20) and Fiza Khatoon (15).
Railway police said that following the accident, train traffic on the ascending track was suspended, while rescue teams were sent to the spot immediately after the incident was reported. A Pakistan Railways official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deceased was a railway employee named Nadeem Shah.
He said Shah was working as an assistant in the track engine team of Pakistan Railways and died in the accident involving 27-Up Shalimar Express near Lakha Road. He was on duty at the time and was reportedly returning after loading equipment when the incident occurred.
Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi took notice of the accident and ordered a high-level investigation to determine responsibility. The minister ordered that the investigation report be submitted to the ministry within three days and emphasized that those responsible should receive appropriate punishment.
