Pakistan’s railways have once again been struck by tragedy, as a deadly train crash near Sahara Railway Station in Nawabshah district claimed over 30 lives and left more than 130 people injured. The Hazara Express, bound for Havelian, derailed with 10 bogies coming off the tracks, leading to a scene of chaos and devastation. The locals of Sanghar and Nawabshah demonstrated remarkable courage by initiating rescue efforts before official help arrived.
Injured passengers were swiftly transported to Peoples Medical Hospital in Nawabshah, where medical teams worked tirelessly to provide treatment. While most were eventually discharged after receiving care, around 30 individuals remain under medical supervision. Families grieved the loss of their loved ones, with the bodies of two unidentified women still at the hospital.
Railway operations on the affected up-track were suspended, while the down-track was restored after an 18-hour delay. The process of fully restoring the affected track is expected to take several more hours. Railway authorities, led by Railways Inspector Ali Mohammad Afridi, conducted an inspection of the crash site to gather evidence for upcoming investigations.
As the nation seeks answers about the cause of this tragedy, it raises concerns about the state of Pakistan’s railways infrastructure, safety protocols, and overall management. Afridi confirmed that an inquiry into the incident would commence in the coming days, with statements from involved individuals being recorded.
This unfortunate incident adds to a disturbing trend of train accidents in Pakistan.Since past 5 years disasters like
This is not the first time something like this happened in Pakistan. In the last five years, there were many accidents:
- In October 2019, a big fire on a train killed over 70 people near Rahim Yar Khan.
- In July 2019, two trains crashed in Sadiqabad, Punjab, and 24 casualties were reported.
- In June 2019, a passenger train hit a cargo train, and some people lost their lives.
- In June 2021, two trains crashed in Ghotki, and many people died.
- In February 2020, a train hit a bus, and almost 20 casualties were reported.
- In July 2020, a train fell off the tracks in Mardan. Over 20 casualties were reported, and many got hurt.
- In January 2021, a train fell off the tracks in Kasur, and many people got hurt.
- In February 2022, a train fell off the tracks in Sheikhupura left many people severely injured.
As the nation mourns the lives lost in the Hazara Express derailment, a collective call for meaningful change echoes throughout the country. The incident underscores the imperative of robust safety measures, thorough investigations, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers who rely on Pakistan’s railways.
