Six officials sacked over Hazara express tragedy

Financial compensation of Rs1.5 million each announced for families of victims

ISLAMABAD:

 In response to the tragic Hazara Express accident, six railway officials have been suspended, and financial compensation worth Rs1.5 million each has been announced for the families of the victims in accordance with railways standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Speaking in the National Assembly, Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique revealed details about the unfortunate incident, placing the blame on the damaged track for the derailment of the ill-fated train.

The accident claimed more than 30 lives and over 80 injuries. Officials said that 10 bogies of the 19-carriage train with around 1,100 passengers on board had derailed over Dadwah – a freshwater distributary – around 1.5 kilometres away from the Sarhari railway station.

While strongly refuting the news item that appeared in a section of press and social media, he said two jammed wheels of a locomotive and a damaged piece of railway track were the main reasons for the railway tragic accident near Nawabshah.

The minister said regretted that fake news was being circulated on both social media and some television networks. No wood was used in joints rather Parmelia fishplate was being used for railway signal systems worldwide as the signal system did not work without it.

He explained that it was a special type of fishplate which was imported from Germany or Holland. Investigation into the accident was underway and its final report would come in the next few days, he said.

However, as per the initial report, out of 12 total wheels of the locomotive were jammed when the train started its journey from Karachi which should have been removed. Besides, a piece of railway track near the accident site was also damaged, which led to the accident.

He said 30 people have lost their lives and a dozen sustained injuries in the tragic accident. Maximum casualties were due to capsizing of the bogies rather than derailment, he added.

The minister said thanked the Sindh government, army, ranger, Rescue 1122 and the local people for their prompt assistance.

Saad Rafique also called for investment in railways as there was an acute shortage of funds and staff. After last year's massive flash flood, they requested the government for provision of funds but to extreme financial constraints, it could not be provided to the railways.

He said the ML-1 project has already been late as the past government did nothing in this regard. The project would be signed in October, he added.

The minister also completely ruled out the chance of any sabotage activity.