11 people were killed and 67 others injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train near Sadiqabad on Thursday morning.
Rahim Yar Khan deputy commissioner (DC) Jamil Ahmed Jamil said all passengers, onboard the train headed to Quetta, had been removed from the train and track clearance operations were underway.
Earlier, Jamil said that heavy machinery was being used to remove passengers who were stuck on the train.
The Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said, the train accident occurred due to human negligence and said he has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Rasheed further said all assistance will be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured. He added, Rs1.5 million will be given as compensation to the families of those killed in the accident, while Rs500,000 will be given to those critically injured.
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and ordered the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
In a post on Twitter, PM Imran said, “Saddened to learn of a train accident in Sadiqabad. My condolences to the victims’ families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The prime minister added, “Have asked Railways Minister to take emergency steps to counter decades of neglect of railway infrastructure & ensure safety standards”.
