At least 19 dead as train rams into passenger bus at Rohri crossing

SUKKUR: At least  19 people died and dozens were injured on Friday after a collision between a passenger train and a bus at a crossing  near Rohri, authorities confirmed.

Rescue teams arrived at the place to help victims of the accident. As relief operations were underway, the injured were being shifted to hospital for medical treatment.

Sukkur commissioner Shafiq Mahesar said the injured were shifted to Taluka Hospital and Civil Hospital Sukkur for treatment, said the Sukkur Commissioner. 

"The rescue operation is underway and we have expanded the search parameter to a 1 kilometer radius," said the commissioner. 

'Accident due to bus driver's negligence'

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident. A spokesperson for the Pakistan Railways said that the accident seemed to have occurred due to the bus driver's negligence.

The spokesperson said that the accident occurred at an unmanned level crossing. He said that Pakistan Railways had previously written to provincial governments to man 2,470 unmanned level crossings.

"It is requested that drivers and pedestrians travel by the crossing very carefully," he said. The spokesperson confirmed that the federal government inspector of railways (FGIR) will hold an inquiry into the accident.

He said that the engine of the train had been damaged as a result of the accident and the Pakistan Express' assistant driver had also been injured.

The Divisional Superintendent of the Pakistan Railways said that there are no gates installed an unmanned crossings. He said that the gates are installed at such crossings when the provincial governments provide funds for it.

"We should not discuss at this time as to who's fault the accident is," he said.

Emergency imposed in hospitals across Khairpur

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the train accident near Rohri. He directed authorities to declare a state of emergency in hospitals across Khairpur to deal with the situation.

The chief minister directed hospital authorities to make arrangements for provision of medicines and blood donations for the injured.

"All steps should be taken to save the lives of the injured," he said. 

Bilawal expresses grief over the incident 

PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed shock and grief over the loss of life due to the train accident. A spokesperson of the PPP chairman said that he had directed Sindh government to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.

"Train accidents are a question mark over the federal government's performance," Bilawal's spokesperson was quoted as saying. "After how many accidents will Imran Khan, who used to talk about resignations after a single accident happened, go home?"

Bilawal said that the PTI government was not concerned with the citizens' lives. 

Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah expressed grief at the loss of lives via a tweet.

"Deeply saddened to learn the train accident near Sukkur Rohri Railway phatak in which 15 people were killed and several injured. My heartfelt condolences to the victims families & prayers for the injured for early recovery!" he tweeted.