Timeline of ‘major train accidents’ that took place during the recent government’s tenure

Two express trains collided in Sindh’s Ghotki district yesterday. At least 40 passengers lost their lives while 100 others were injured in the accident.

Details of the Collision

According to reports, the Millat Express derailed and lost control. Soon after, the Sir Syed Express train hit it causing a major hazard. The railways’ officials said:

The collision took place between the Raiti and Obaro railway stations.

This is at least the eighth railways accident since PM Imran Khan took office in August 2018.

His first railways minister was television darling & jester for over three decades.

His current minister was fired from another ministry for alleged corruption & misuse of power. https://t.co/jBXGZsw0dB

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) June 7, 2021

A BBC report published in 2019 read:

Historical data from Pakistan Railways shows there were 757 train accidents between 2012 and 2017 – that’s an average of about 125 incidents a year.

It should be noted that Sheikh Rasheed served as the Railway Minister of Pakistan from the 20th of August 2018, to the 14th of December 2020. A total of seven major train incidents happened during his tenure. Azam Khan Swati is the Railway Minister presently and the recent Ghotki accident has occurred during his time.

People are now recalling the words of Prime Minister Imran Khan when he said:

Anywhere in the world when a train accident occurs, the railway minister resigns. Until the minister doesn’t resign, the inquiry doesn’t process properly.

PM Imran Khan demands resignation of Railways Minister pic.twitter.com/OypnLu7O7d

— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) June 7, 2021

Here is a timeline of Major Railway Accidents during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – from recent to dated:

June 7, 2021: Ghotki

What happened: Two express trains collided in Sindh’s Ghotki district.

Casualties: 32 people died and 64 injured

Feb 28, 2020: Rohri

What happened: A train collided with a passenger bus near Sindh’s Rohri district.

Casualties: 19 people died

October 31, 2019: Rahim Yar Khan

What happened: A moving train collapsed due to a fiery explosion near Rahim Yar Khan. Officials later blamed the incident on a short-circuit fire.

Casualties: 70+ people died

July 11, 2019: Sadiqabad

What happened: A Quetta-bound train collided with a cargo train near Sadiqabad in Punjab because of a delay in the switching of train tracks.

Casualties: 24 people died and 100 injured

June 20, 2019: Makli Shah

What happened: A passenger train collided with a stationary cargo train at Makli Shah, near Hyderabad.

Casualties: 3 people died

December 18, 2018: Narowal

What happened: A passenger train crashed into a school van near Narowal, Punjab. Eyewitnesses said that the accident happened due to dense fog and because the gate at the crossing was left open.

Casualties: 12 children injured

September 27, 2018: Sehwan

What happened: A Peshawar-bound train derailed in Sehwan, Sindh.

Casualties: 11 people died

September 16, 2018: Attock

What happened: A Peshawar-bound Khushal Khan Khattak Express from Karachi derailed near Attock.

Casualties: 9 people died and 20 injured

June 9, 2018: Sukkur

What happened: A Karachi-bound freight train derailed in Sukkur.

Casualties: 23 people died

The timeline of train accidents during the PTI tenure has left people questioning the efforts of the government. Now the public is looking to see what the officials will do to control the occurrences of these hazards.

What are your thoughts on this? Please share with us in the comment section below.