The engine and six bogies of Karachi-bound Shalimar Express caught fire after it collided with an oil tanker near Sheikhupur, killing both driver and assistant driver of the train, officials and rescue sources said.
Ten others sustained injuries in the incident and were shifted to DHQ hospital. The victims, driver and assistant driver of the train, have been identified as Abdul Latif and Abdul Hameed respectively.
According to details, the tanker was stuck at the railway station due a breakdown when the train hit it. After the collision, massive fire broke out that engulfed the locomotive and six bogies.
Sources said that passengers jumped out of the burning bogies. They also pushed away the remaining nine bogies from the burning compartments.
Four fire brigade vehicles doused the fire after more than two hours.
Emergency was declared in the Sheikhupura hospitals.
Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafique, talking to The News, said that the tanker suffered a breakdown and was stuck at the crossing, adding that the railway crossing was manned and staff was there.
He said compensation to the affectees would be offered under the policy. A new system to operate railway crossings that had been developed with the help of the Nascom would be in place in a month or two, he added.
Earlier, DCO Tariq Akram said that the oil tanker’s brakes failed moments before the collision.
Contrary to DCO Tariq Akram’s claim, DSP Khalid Gujjar said the railway crossing’s barrier was left open that caused the accident.
Oil tanker driver has been arrested by the police and is being interrogated.
