In Pakistan, railways is considered to be the transportation of masses. Since 1953, countless train-related accidents in the country have left the nation mourning but recently the frequency of these accidents has increased, raising question marks on the capability of the administration.
Since Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took over the reins in August 2018, there have been almost 200 major and minor train accidents. In the first year of the PTI government, 74 accidents took place. Out of those 74 accidents, 20 accidents were of freight trains derailing while another 20 occurred at unmanned railway crossings. From January to May 2020, Pakistan Railways saw 64 accidents which included derailment and other accidents at manned or unmanned crossings.
On Monday, two express trains, the Millat Express and Sir Syed Express collided in Ghotki, Sindh. According to the latest reports, 33 people have died while more than 130 have sustained injuries.
Lets take a look at some of the major accidents in the last three years.
September 16, 2018
Nine bogies of a train going from Karachi to Peshawar derailed near Attock in which 20 passengers were injured.
September 27, 2018
Another Peshawar bound train derailed in Sehwan in which 11 bogies overturned.
December 18, 2018
12 children were injured as a passenger train crashed into a school van near Narowal, Punjab. Local witnesses said the accident happened due to dense fog and because the gate at the crossing was left open.
June 20, 2019
Three people were killed when a passenger train collided with a stationary cargo train at Makli Shah, near Hyderabad.
July 11, 2019
A Quetta-bound train collided with a cargo train near Sadiqabad in Punjab, killing 24 people and injuring over 100. The accident was later found to be caused by a delay in switching the train tracks.
October 31, 2019
Fire engulfed a train near Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, killing 65 people after a gas canister used to cook in the train, by passengers, exploded.
Feb 28, 2020
At least 19 people were killed when a train collided with a passenger bus near Sindh’s Rohri.
March 7,2021
A train derailed between the Rohri and Sangi stations in the southern Sindh province. One casualty was reported while 40 people got injured.
