20 killed As Train Crashes into Coach Carrying Sikh Pilgrims Near Sheikhupura

The Karachi to Lahore express train, are feared dead in an accident with a bus that carries mostly Sikh pilgrims, near Sheikhupura on Friday afternoon—killing at least 20 people.The bus carrying the pilgrims was hit at an unmanned railway crossing by the Karachi bound Shah Hussain Express. The pilgrims were traveling from Peshawar. Police have said there were 25-27 persons, including seven women in the van at the time of the accident.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said the deceased were mainly Sikh pilgrims who were travelling home from Nankana Sahib.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, at least eight people were injur in the accident, all of that was shift to District Headquarters Hospital, Sheikhupura.The gate at the crossing was close. And the driver apparently tried to take a shortcut instead of waiting for the gate to open, senior police officer Ghazi Salahuddin told reporters at the crash site.

Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Dost Ali Laghari has set up a committee comprising three senior officers to investigate the incident. It will present its initial report by Saturday “so that it can determined which side was at fault,” according to Railways statement“Action will be taken in accordance with the law against whoever is held responsible for this accident,”

Train accidents are common in Pakistan, mainly due to lack of enforcement of safety measures, a poorly kept railroad system, and negligence of drivers. In February, a train crashed into a bus carrying passengers at an unmanned railway crossing in the district of Rohri in southern Pakistan, killing 19 people and injuring 28 others.

Friday’s accident comes after a series of recent fatal railway accidents in Pakistan. Over 70 people died when a Karachi-Rawalpindi train caught fire during its journey in November last year.