TAXILA: A passenger train struck three children from the same family, killing two of them in Bodo village near the Wah railway station on Tuesday, police and railway authorities said.

The victims were cousins and lived in same house. They were playing close to the railway track when the Karachi-bound Awam Express coming from Peshawar hit them. As a result, Lubaba, 4, daughter of Mohammad Zaman, died instantly, while her four-year-old cousin Mohammad Rehan, son of Raheem Zaman, succumbed to injuries while being taken to hospital. Khadija, 5, daughter of Mohammad Zaman, was severely injured and admitted to Wah General Hospital.

Eyewitnesses told this reporter that the children were chasing a ball when they wandered onto the track.

“We tried shouting to warn them, but the train was too close. It all happened in seconds,” said Shafiq Ahmad, a local milkman who was passing near the track when the horrific incident occurred.

A pall of gloom spread in the village when the bodies of the children were brought to their house.

A Pakistan Railways spokesperson, when contacted, expressed grief over the loss of lives, adding: “We urge parents to ensure children do not play near railway tracks. The department is reviewing safety measures in the area and will coordinate with the local administration to address fencing and crossing issues.”

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2025