Ten killed in Pakistan train accident (AFP) / 6 July 2013 At least 10 people including two children were killed on Saturday after a train collided with a packed motorcycle rickshaw in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, officials said. A high-speed train traveling from country’s largest city Karachi to the capital of Punjab province Lahore crushed the rikshaw on a road crossing which had no barrier. “The accident occurred in Khanpur town of district Sheikhupura, around 40 kilometres northwest of Lahore,” Salim Niazi, a local police official said. The rescue officials said that at least two children were also among the dead. “Our staff are busy in evacuating the injured and dead bodies. So far, we can confirm the death of at least 10 people including two children,” Jam Sajjad, a spokesman for the rescue department, said. Police said that the motorcycle rickshaw was crammed with 16 people and drove onto the train track moments before the Lahore bound train passed through, smashing into it. “There was no gate at this crossing, (nor) a man to stop the traffic to clear way for the train,” said Niazi. Pakistan maintains a poor railway system based on British era track and old coaches. Many Pakistanis avoid travelling by train due to the low safety standards and unsatisfactory facilities.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 10:44:39 +0000