Tragic: Hazara Express derailment in Pakistan’s Sindh kills at least 15, injures over 80

A tragic train accident occurred on Sunday, August 6, 2023, when the Hazara Express train en route from Karachi to Rawalpindi derailed near the Sarhari Railway Station in Pakistan's Nawabshah district. The accident claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured more than 80 others, according to the latest reports.

The cause of the derailment is still unknown, but some witnesses said that they heard a loud bang before the train went off track. The train, which had 17 bogies and a capacity of over 1,000 passengers, was carrying more people than its limit. Ten of the bogies were severely damaged and some of them overturned, trapping many passengers inside.

The rescue operations were hampered by the lack of heavy machinery and equipment at the site. The authorities said that it may take up to 18 hours to clear the wreckage and restore the train operations. A relief train was also sent to the site to evacuate the survivors and provide medical assistance.

The accident has raised serious questions about the safety and maintenance of Pakistan's decaying rail system, which has been plagued by frequent accidents and corruption. The government has been trying to secure funds to upgrade the rail network as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative for infrastructure projects, but the progress has been slow and uneven.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries in the accident. He also ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed the authorities to provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families. The President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, also condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

This is not the first time that a train accident has occurred in Pakistan's Sindh province. In June 2021, two express trains collided near Daharki, killing over 60 people and injuring more than 100 others. In October 2019, a fire broke out in a passenger train near Rahim Yar Khan, killing at least 74 people and injuring dozens more.

The Hazara Express derailment is another reminder of the urgent need to improve the safety standards and infrastructure of Pakistan's railways. The government should take swift and effective measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again and ensure the security and comfort of the passengers.

Source:

(1) Train Derails In Pakistan's Sindh, 15 Killed, Nearly 50 Injured. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/train-derails-in-pakistans-sindh-15-killed-nearly-50-injured/ar-AA1eRegD.

(2) 30 dead, 80 injured as Hazara Express derails in Pakistan’s Sindh. https://theprint.in/world/pakistan-30-dead-80-injured-after-10-coaches-of-hazara-express-derail-in-sindh/1703051/.

(3) 30 Killed, Over 80 Injured After Train Derails in Pakistan's Sindh; Rescue Works Underway. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/33-killed-over-80-injured-after-train-derails-in-pakistans-sindh-rescue-works-underway/ar-AA1eR8xS.

(4) Pakistan Train Accident: Death Toll Jumps To 30; 80 Injured After 10 .... https://zeenews.india.com/world/pakistan-train-accident-death-toll-jumps-to-30-80-injured-after-10-coaches-of-hazara-express-derail-in-sindh-2645563.html.

(5) Passenger train derails in Pakistan's Sindh, 22 killed, nearly 100 .... https://www.livemint.com/news/world/passenger-train-derails-in-pakistans-sindh-15-killed-over-50-injured-11691316453247.html.

(6) At Least 28 Dead as Express Train Derails in Pakistan's Sindh Province. https://www.thequint.com/news/southern-pakistan-sindh-province-hazara-express-train-derails-death-toll.