Sadiqabad rail accident | |
---|---|
Details | |
Date | 11 July 2019 4:30 am |
Location | Walhar railway station, Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab |
Coordinates | 28°12′05″N 69°59′26″E / 28.2015°N 69.9906°E |
Country | Pakistan |
Statistics | |
Trains | 2 |
Deaths | 24 |
The Sadiqabad railway accident occurred on 11 July 2019 in Rahim Yar Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. The Quetta-bound Akbar Express collided with a cargo rake at Walhar railway station (parked at the passing loop), due to improper handling of the track switching mechanism.[1][2][3][4] The accident took place around 4:30 a.m. (Pakistan Standard Time), about 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of the district headquarters of Rahim Yar Khan and the train engines were completely destroyed.[2][3]
Relief operations were launched immediately and a medical emergency was declared at nearby hospitals.[5][4] An inquiry has been ordered and proportionate compensation for the victims were announced by the railway ministry.[6][7] Whilst the unaffected coaches of the train left for its destination, regular traffic along the stretch of ML1 route was suspended.[2][5]
President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political leaders offered their condolences;[8] the opposition noted such accidents to be a recurring event in the recent past and sought for the resignation of the incumbent Rail Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.[7][9][10]
Twenty-four passengers were killed.[11]