Preliminary findings from the investigation into the tragic train accident in Pakistan’s Sindh province have unveiled startling details about the incident that claimed the lives of 31 individuals. The catastrophe unfolded on Sunday when several coaches of the Hazara Express train derailed, leaving over 120 people injured.
The Hazara Express was en route from Karachi to Rawalpindi when disaster struck, causing widespread devastation near the Sarhari railway station in the Nawabshah district. As investigators pieced together the sequence of events, a disturbing truth emerged, pointing to a missing fishplate and damaged track as the primary culprits behind the tragedy.
The investigation was led by a dedicated six-member team from Pakistan Railways, which diligently examined all facets of the accident. After thorough scrutiny, the team concluded that the derailment occurred due to the absence of a vital fishplate and the compromised condition of the track itself. The fishplate, a plate that joins two rails, was notably absent, setting the stage for the catastrophic event.
Furthermore, the investigative team shed light on another contributing factor: the slipping of the train’s engine. Remarkably, the report highlighted that the engine had departed the scene without undergoing inspection by senior officials. Disturbingly, small impact marks were discovered on both the iron fishplate and wooden terminal adjacent to the crash site. The report unequivocally held the engineering and mechanical division accountable for the catastrophic mishap.
However, the report was not without its dissenting voices. Two members of the investigative team voiced contrasting opinions regarding the findings. One officer expressed skepticism, contending that two fishplates were missing, along with track damage. The officer raised the possibility that the engine might have derailed due to gauge spread, explaining the presence of scratch marks on the outer wheel disc. Additionally, no discernible marks were detected on the track, fishplate, or bolt.
Another official offered a differing perspective, attributing the derailment to engine axle jamming. This jamming, the official argued, led to visible marks on the fishplates. Over time, the depth of these marks escalated due to recurring jamming, eventually causing the fish bolts to break, exacerbating the situation.
It is crucial to note that the investigation’s current revelations are preliminary in nature, and a comprehensive final report is still pending. The authorities are committed to conducting a meticulous and thorough analysis of the incident. Federal railway inspectors are on-site, actively working to ascertain the root cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, the aftermath of the disaster continues to impact the affected families. The People’s Medical College Hospital in Nawabshah’s Benazirabad district reported that a significant number of the injured, approximately 120 individuals, have received medical treatment and have been discharged. Regrettably, 30 individuals are still undergoing medical care. Among the deceased, 29 bodies have been returned to their grieving families. The hospital still holds the bodies of two unidentified deceased women, as efforts to identify them persist.
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