–Minister says driver, assistant driver and guard lost their lives
At least three passengers were killed and multiple were injured after a freight train collided with a passenger train near Hyderabad on Thursday.
According to initial reports, three people died in the accident while dozens of injuries have been reported. However, the rescue officials fear the casualties may increase as the operation continues.
The Jinnah Express passenger train going from Karachi to Lahore collided with a freight train near Hyderabad. The passenger train rammed into the freight train, which was stationary, near the railway station. The passenger train’s engine and boggies were severely damaged.
Video footage showed hundreds of people from the nearby areas gathered at the accident site while many of them were seen helping in the rescue operation. The footage also shows badly smashed engine parts and passenger compartments.
“A driver, an assistant driver and a guard lost their lives in the incident outside Hyderabad at a signal crossing,” said Federal Railways Minister Shiekh Rasheed. “All passengers are safe,” he said, adding the matter was being investigated.
Station Superintendent Mohammad Rizwan said that the Jinnah Express crashed into the freight train possibly because the train driver wasn’t able to get the signal.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed sorrow over the train accident, a statement by his spokesperson said.
The chief minister directed the Hyderabad commissioner to provide the injured with all possible assistance and instructed the hospital to make the necessary arrangements in this regard.
At 7pm, traffic on the up and down country tracks remained suspended as machinery had not yet been mobilised to clear the tracks.
