One killed as Shalimar Express hits oil tanker

SHEIKHUPURA: The train driver was killed when the Karachi-bound Shalimar Express collided with an oil tanker stuck at a railway crossing late Monday night.

Six passengers of the train that left Lahore at 11:20pm were injured. However, the city police chief said it was too early to say anything about casualties. The tanker driver was arrested. According to TV channels, the tanker was stuck at the railway station due a breakdown when the train hit it. After the collision, massive fire broke out that engulfed the locomotive and six bogies. Channels reported that passengers jumped out of the burning bogies. The passengers pushed away the remaining nine bogies from the burning compartments.

Contrary to DCO Tariq Akram’s claim that the oil tanker’s brakes failed moments before the collision, DSP Khalid Gujjar said the railway crossing’s barrier was left open that caused the accident.

Meanwhile, the injured passengers have been shifted to the DHQ Hospital. Relief efforts were under way and it took quite some time to put out the fire. Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafique, talking to The News, confirmed that driver of the train had died. He said a relief train was dispatched to Sheikhupura. He also said that the tanker suffered a breakdown and was stuck at the crossing. a He said the district administration was evacuating passengers to Sheikhupura railway station. He said the railway crossing was manned and staff was there. He said compensation to the affectees would be offered under the policy. A new system to operate railway crossings that had been developed with the help of the Nascom would be in place in a month or two, he added.