The death toll is expected to rise as many victims, some of whom are seriously injured, are being treated at local hospitals.
Sindh Governor Syed Murad Ali Shah said that nine carriages of the train have been cleared and a rescue operation is underway in the remaining carriages to search for passengers.
Rescue teams, the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Railways personnel rushed to the scene to launch relief operations immediately after the train derailed. Local volunteers also helped rescue stranded passengers. Seriously injured passengers were shifted to the southern port city of Karachi for optimal treatment.
The Hazara Express, a 17-carriage train carrying more than 1,000 passengers, went off the track as it crossed a bridge between Karachi and Havelian, Pakistani officials said. The accident has disrupted rail services within the province and connecting Sindh province with the outside world. Repairs could take up to 18 hours.
Speaking to the media, Pakistan's Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said authorities were investigating the incident and the possibility of "sabotage" could be ruled out.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep condolences over the incident and directed the authorities to provide best medical treatment to those injured in the accident.
Pakistan’s railway system has nearly 7,500km of track and carries more than 80 million passengers each year. Local media reports that accidents and derailments are common on Pakistan’s outdated rail system. Several governments have tried to raise funds to upgrade the network, but have not yielded the expected results.
In 2021, a tragic train accident occurred in Sindh, killing 56 people and injuring more than 100.
The tragic train accident on August 6th came just a day after the Allama Iqbal Express derailed near Padidan railway station. While there were no casualties, the incident led to a temporary halt in traffic on the affected line, according to local officials.
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