President, PM express shock over Ghotki train accident

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed deep shock over the train accident near Daharki in Ghotki district that killed at least 30 people.

In their separate messages, both extended sympathies with the victims of the train crash.

President Alvi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace. The Prime Minister in a tweet said he was “shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30 passengers dead”.
He asked the Railway Minister to reach the site and ensure medical assistance to injured and also support for families of the dead. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the railway safety faultlines.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the accident. He said every possible help was being provided to the injured.
Inquiry ordered into tragic train accident under Railways Act: Fawad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Hussain Chaudhry on Monday informed the National Assembly that an inquiry had been ordered into the tragic train accident under the Railways Act 1890. “The Federal Government Inspector for Railways is reaching at the site for investigating the cause of derailment and to assess damage and fix the responsibility,” he said while speaking in the House.

Giving the details of the accident, Fawad said at 03:38 hours, 18 coaches of Karachi to Sargodha Millat Express derailed and fell across the “down track” near the Raiti Railway Station, and Sir Syed Express coming from Rawalpindi to Karachi collided with them.

The driver of Sir Syed Express tried to apply emergency brakes, however, its locomotive hit the derailed coaches infringing the down track, he added.

The minister said a total of 1,388 passengers were on travelling on the two trains. He said the people of whole country, including the opposition, were grieved over the tragic accident. He fully agreed with the opposition’s demand that the incident should be thoroughly debated in this august House. The debate, however, should be held in the presence of minister for railways as he was at the accident site to monitor the relief and rescue operation, he added.