Death toll of Akbar Express which met an accident at Walhar near Sadiqabad on Thursday has risen to twenty one.
Our correspondent Sajjad Parvez reports from Bahawalpur that seventy-nine people were also injured in the incident.
Deputy Commisioner Rahim Yar Khan has established a control room to provide necessary information to the victim families. The numbers of control room are 068-9230109 and 0300-9402579.
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the train accident near Sadiqabad.
In their separate messages, they directed to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he has asked Railways Minister to take emergency steps to counter decades of neglect of railway infrastructure and ensure safety standards.
Saddened to learn of train accident in Sadiqabad. My condolences to the victims families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Have asked Railways Minister to take emergency steps to counter decades of neglect of railway infrastructure & ensure safety standards.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 11, 2019
Meanwhile, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid said investigation has been ordered into the unfortunate accident.
Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has also expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the train accident.
Akbar Express that met an accident at Walhar Railway Station near Sadiqabad on Thursday morning has left for Quetta, carrying passengers.
According to the spokesperson for Railways, the passengers have been seen off in the Akbar Express coaches which were technically fit.
Meanwhile, the federal government inspectors for Railways have left for the accident site to examine and investigate the incident.
Pakistan Railways has set up an information cell in Sukkur Division for the heirs of those who were killed or injured in Akbar Express train accident.
According to the Spokesperson for Pakistan Railways, people can get information about the passengers from the telephone numbers: 0719310087 and 03333993999.