Remains of the rickshaw which collided with the train in Sheikhupura. PHOTO: AFP
The train, Karakoram Express, was on its way from Lahore to Karachi when it met an accident with the rickshaw which was reportedly carrying around 25 people – mainly women and children.
"The accident occurred in Khanpur town of district Sheikhupura, around 40 kilometres northwest of Lahore," Salim Niazi, a local police official, told AFP.
Officials said at least two children were among the dead.
"Twelve people died on the spot. Four people with critical injuries were taken to hospital, of whom two expired," Muhammad Asim, a senior doctor at the local hospital, told AFP.
"Two of them were children under 12 years old," he said adding that many bodies were mutilated and unable to be identified.
Police said the rickshaw was over-capacity and drove onto the train track moments before the Lahore-bound train passed through, smashing into it.
"There was no gate at this crossing, (nor) a man to stop the traffic to clear a way for the train," said Niazi.
An eyewitness said that the passengers in the rickshaw were travelling to a mazaar in the area to attend a mela and there were no gates on the railway crossing.
The police and rescue teams reached the spot later on.
Government's stance
Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Saturday that the beneficiaries of the railway crossing tragedy will be given Rs500,000 compensation by the Punjab government.
While addressing a press conference at Lahore Railway Headquarters, he said, “The loss of 14 lives due to rickshaw driver’s negligence is a tragedy”.
“The responsibility of closing down of unmanned railway crossings lies with the government – whether it is federal government or provincial government.”
“There was a board that stated the rule clearly, near the crossing, but sadly, due to illiteracy in the country most people don’t know these simple rules,” he said.
“The accident took place due to some fault in the overloaded rickshaw,” Rafique added.
He also said that by holding each other responsible we will make it even more complicated and will not be able to reach a solution.
Talking about the solutions, he said that an investigation team has been formed that will submit its report within 24 hours.
Government will issue permit to construct a flyover or an underpass on the main railway line, he said.
“None of the department, provincial or district, will be allowed to make temporary railway crossings,” he added.
COMMENTS (18)
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I am trying to imagine how this could have happened. I mean knowing what a rickshaw looks like, how could it possibly carry the reported number of people. Even if it somehow did, why didn't the occupants stop the driver or move out of the rickshaw when they saw the approaching train? Unbelievable and truly sad.
Atleast it shows that the trains in Pakistan are working at times. Soon we may hear that a train entered into a residential area killing few thousand.
Must be Chingchi rickshaws which is a death capsule. It's failure on the part of Govt that these illegal vehicles are plying on the roads.
A good one. Made my day, how stupid people can be.
It's very sad news.. I'm shocked how 25 people were travelling in a rickshaw.. it's the responsibility of rickshaw driver to have seen a train coming..
"due to illiteracy in the country most people don’t know these simple rules,” Wrong, even literates don't obey rules.
must have been a special rickshaw to carry so many people!
Impatience ; this is our national bahaviour..... sorry for the victims of the accident .... we rush to do all the things and cant wait for single moment .....
come again ?? 25 people in a rikshaw ????
And this seemed to be a makeshift crossing, a short cut. It is not railways fault as being stressed y Media...where were the gates...etc. It is our illeterate masses looking for a short cut, easy way out.
And have seen motorcyclist crossing tracks while the gates are closed.
No doubt rickshaw driver is to be blamed for this incident but no having no gates make railway crossing more vulnerable and dangerous for public.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon
the richshaw driver must have thought that train would stop while he makes his narrow escape.
I have seen with my own EYES (eye to eye) that with gates and a gate keeper tryign to stop ppl from entering even then ppl dont listen.
Stop blaming the govt, the rickshaw driver should have seen a TRAIN coming his way, there is no excuse for him missing out on that.