Relief and rescue operation in Ghotki passenger train accident completed
The death toll from the horrific Ghotki train crash rose to 63 on Tuesday after rescuers pulled more bodies from a mangled bogie found crushed cars, officials said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army and relief workers completed the relief and rescue operation and restoration work on the railway track was in progress.
“Train engine bogies removed from track,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “Efforts are underway to open railway track after necessary repair and maintenance.”
Around 98 of the injured were evacuated to various hospitals including Sheikh Zaid Hospital Rahim Yar Khan and CMH Panu Aqil.
Ghotki SSP Umer Tufail said over 100 persons injured in the accident were under treatment at different hospitals and many of them were in critical condition, fearing that the death toll may rise.
A free ambulance service had been started by Edhi Foundation to transport the bodies to the victims’ hometowns and more than 35 bodies had already been sent.
Most of the deceased were residents of Karachi, Lodhran, Rawalpindi and Vehari.
The accident had taken place between the Raiti and Daharki railway stations where eight carriages of the Millat Express derailed just before the Sir Syed Express rammed into them in the early hours of Monday.
The collision resulted in the suspension of train service for around 30 hours after the accident. Sukkur DSP Tariq Latif said that instructions had been issued for the restoration of train service on the affected tracks after the completion of the relief operation.