The Ghotki train accident happened due to a broken joint of one of the tracks, the initial inquiry report suggests.
The death toll in a collision between two trains has surged to 62 with more than 100 injuries. The authorities in Sukkur confirmed on Tuesday the death of 62 passengers of the Millat Express and Sir Syed Express.
Soon after the crash, prime minister Imran Khan ordered an inquiry into it and sought the report within 24 hours.
One of the joints of the right track was broken, according to the inspection team. It had been welded. The Millat Express carriages derailed because of the broken joint and fell onto the lower track, it said.
The Karachi-bound Sir Syed Express arrived minutes later and smashed into the derailed coaches of Millat Express, the team said in its report.
As a result, the engine and four coaches of Sir Syed Express were derailed too. The initial inquiry report has been forwarded to Railways Minister Azam Swati.
Pakistan Railways DS Sukkur Tariq Latif told the media that the rescue operation had been completed and the track has been cleared. Seventeen coaches and the engine of a train damaged in the crash have been removed, he added.
After more than 27 hours’ suspension, the train service has been restored, he said and added that the speed of trains in the affected area has been kept slow.
DS Latif said seven more bodies today. He expressed the fear that the death toll could rise further as some injured were in critical condition.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Railways spokesperson said that the authorities will pay Rs1500,000 to the heirs of the dead and between Rs50,000 and Rs300,000 to the injured as compensation in accordance with the policy.
Railways Minister Azam Swati promised a comprehensive inquiry into the crash and said those found responsible for the Ghotki accident will be punished.
He said the track in the Sukkur division was in poor condition. But the train track was in a better condition where the accident took place, he added.
