Last rites of Sheikhupura train accident victims performed
Members of Sikh community gather to perform last rites of train accident victims in Peshawar. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The bodies of 19 Sikh pilgrims —who died after a collision between a train and their van in Sheikhupura —were shifted to Peshawar in a special Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft early Saturday morning.
The bodies were then moved via ambulances from PAF base to Dabgani Mohalla Jogan Shah, where family members of the deceased mourned over the sudden demise of their loved ones. Later, they were shifted to Attock crematorium where last rites of the victims were held.
On Friday, at least 20 Sikh pilgrims died and several others were injured in a collision between a train and a coaster near Sheikhupura.
Secretary-General Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Amir Singh said the deceased belonged to three or four families.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid ordered immediate action against those responsible for the tragic incident.
Train accidents are common in Pakistan, where the railways have seen decades of decline due to corruption, mismanagement and lack of investment.
A National Assembly standing committee was recently told that there have been 384 train accidents in Pakistan since 2014: 74 in 2018-19, 67 in 2017-18, 78 in 2016-17, 76 in 2015-16, and 89 accidents in 2014-15.