LAHORE: The joint team of the Pakistan Railways (PR) and army officers, constituted to investigate the plunging into canal of a special train near Gujranwala, is considering all possibilities including sabotage.

The team scrutinised the inspection record of the collapsed bridge and recorded statements of the PR Lahore divisional engineer and other officials concerned, said a senior officer at the railways headquarters in Lahore on Saturday.

“After inspecting the accident site and collecting evidences from there, the team members are waiting for the retrieval of the locomotive and a coach, so that this aspect could also be considered before finalising the report,” said the official who wished not to be named.

Heavy machinery from Islamabad had been transported to the site to pull out the locomotive and the coach from the canal.

“In fact, the muddy base of the canal is making it difficult for the rescue teams to pull out the plunged loco and the bogie. Hopefully, both will be pulled out by Sunday morning,” said the official while expressing optimism that an initial report would be ready by Sunday evening for submission to the prime minister.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2015

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