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KARACHI: Scores of train accidents of varying degrees and nature have taken place in the country over the past decades in which hundreds of innocent lives have been lost.
Regrettably, little attention has been paid to improve the poorly maintained signal system and ageing tracks.
Here is a list of such accidents that occurred since the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf came to power after the 2018 elections.
Dec 24, 2018: Three coaches of Shalimar Express derail and hit Millat Express at an adjacent track in Faisalabad, leaving one dead and six others injured.
April 1, 2019: Eight wagons of a freight/container train derail near Rahim Yar Khan.
May 18, 2019: Lahore-bound goods train derails near Padidan railway station in Sindh.
May 21, 2019: Four wagons of Multan-bound Thal Express derail near Kundian.
May 30, 2019: Rawalpindi-bound Jafar Express derails near Gujjar Khan.
June 18, 2019: Fire incident in Jinnah Express dining car near Harappa (Sahiwal).
June 20, 2019: Jinnah Express hits a freight car near Hyderabad, killing three people and injuring several others.
July 11, 2019: Parting of Pakistan Express train in two parts near Khanewal.
July 12, 2019: Accident of Akbar Express and goods train at Walhar station near Sadiqabad.
July 23, 2019: Derailment of Zakariya Express and a goods train near Kotri and Rohri stations.
Oct 30, 2019: Tezgam train fire tragedy leaves 74 dead, over 40 injured.
Dec 10, 2019: Sargodha Express hits a dumper truck, leaving one dead.
Dec 17, 2019: Jinnah Express derails near Lahore railway station.
Feb 28, 2020: Pakistan Express train hits a bus at unmanned railway crossing near Lahore, leaving 19 dead and over 30 injured.
July 3, 2020: Shah Hussain Express train rams into a coaster near Sheikhupura, killing 20 people. The deceased included 19 Sikh pilgrims and vehicle driver.
March 7, 2021: Lahore-bound Karachi Express derails between Mando Dero and Sanghi railway stations near Rohri, claiming one life and leaving 30 others injured.
June 7, 2021: Millat Express and Sir Syed Express collide in Ghotki, leaving 55 dead and more than 150 injured.
Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2021
