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14 killed as speeding train collides with goods train in Pakistan

The accident took place around 4 a.m. at Walhar station when a passenger train entered a service line and collided with a freight train, according to Railway Ministry spokesperson Ali Nawaz Malik.

14 killed as speeding train collides with goods train in Pakistan

Representational image (Photo: IStock)

At least 14 people were killed and many injured after a speeding passenger train collided with a good train in Pakistan’s Punjab province early hours on Thursday.

The accident took place around 4 a.m. at Walhar station when a passenger train entered a service line and collided with a freight train, according to Railway Ministry spokesperson Ali Nawaz Malik.

District Police Officer (DPO) Rahim Yar Khan Umar Salamat said, “The deceased include one woman and eight men, while the injured include nine women and 11 children”.

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The DPO further said that “rescue operation is underway and hydraulic cutters have been called at the site to retrieve dead bodies”.

The engine of the Akbar Express was completely destroyed in the accident while three bogies were also damaged, police said.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals of Sadiqabad and Rahim Yar Khan for treatment where an emergency has been declared, Geo News reported.

A child and a man have been rescued from the train, the report added.

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his grief over the accident and called for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In a tweet, Imran Khan said, “Saddened to learn of train accident in Sadiqabad. My condolences to the victims families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have asked railways minister to take emergency steps to counter decades of neglect of railway infrastructure and ensure safety standards”.

Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has also expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the accident.

He has ordered an investigation into the incident.

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