ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent condolences to Pakistani President Dr. Arif Alvi after a train smashed into derailed carriages of another train on Monday, killing at least 56, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
According to railway officials, about 1,100 passengers were on board the trains when the collision occurred near Ghotki town, about 420 km north of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and capital of the Sindh province. The death toll so far is 56, with at least a 100 injured, Hameedullah Lashari, DCO railways Sukkar division of Sindh province, said.
King Salman “expressed condolences and sympathy to the President and families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery,” SPA reported. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent his condolences.
On Monday, the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs said the kingdom “expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the dead, and to Pakistan, the leadership, government and people.”
Railways minister Azam Sawati said on Twitter authorities were investigating the cause of the collision but it was too early to say whether the accident was “due to sabotage or due to the dilapidated condition of the train track.”
“Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision but it is too early to say whether the accident was due to sabotage or due to the dilapidated condition of the train track, Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati" (@AzamKhnSwati).#TrainAccident #Ghotki #PakistanRailways pic.twitter.com/jZ3YQXzaos
— Ministry of Railways, Govt of Pakistan (@RailwaysGovPk) June 7, 2021
The ministry said it was compiling a final list of the “dead and injured” and would release it soon.
“The rescue operation has been completed and now the track is being repaired,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. “Soon after maintenance work, train operations on the track will resume.”
