SHEIKHUPURA: Two people were killed and 10 injured as a Karachi-bound passenger train Shalimar Express collided with an oil tanker at a level crossing situated at Hiran Minar Road late Monday night.
According to DCO Tariq Akram, brakes of the oil tanker failed moments before the train collided.
However, DSP Khalid Gujjar claimed that the accident occurred as the railway crossing’s barrier was left opened.
In the accident, the engine and five bogies along with the luggage compartment and a power plant caught fire.
Passengers were evacuated and injured were immediately shifted to DHQ hospital.
Driver Abdul Lateef and his assistant, Abdul Hameed, lost their lives in the collision.
Federal Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic train accident.
Rafique confirmed the death of the train driver. Moreover, he told the media that the accident occurred as axle of the oil tanker malfunctioned.
He said, “One engine and three bogies were damaged in the accident. We have dispatched a relief train from Lahore.”
He added, “The accident happened because of the oil tanker driver’s hurriedness.”
Rescue services along with fire brigade were reached at the site of accident. However, it took almost two hours to douse the fire.
The driver of the oil tanker and local railway personnel were arrested on the spot.
