Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati on Tuesday said Pakistan Railways would pay Rs 1.5 million compensation for the families of each passenger, who died in Ghotki train accident as the policy of the department.
According to spokesman of Pakistan Railways, Rs 50,000 to Rs 300,000 would be paid to the injured, as per nature medical treatment required.
The spokesman said first time in history, the minister was present at the scene of the accident and himself supervised the relief operations throughout the night.
He said that Azam Swati continuously ensured provision of all kinds of facilities to the passengers of the two affected trains and also visited the hospitals for the provision of immediate medical assistance to the injured.
#PakistanRailways would pay Rs 1.5 million compensation for the families of each passenger, who died in #GhotkiTrainAccident as the policy of the department, Minister for #Railways Azam Khan Swati #Ghotki #TrainAccident#PakistanRailways pic.twitter.com/nK6OL9lh3v
— Ministry of Railways, Government of Pakistan (@RailwaysGovPk) June 8, 2021
The spokesman said death toll in the train accident had raised to 56, out of which identity of nine persons has not been ascertained sor far, adding that only 23 were currently under treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan and the rest have been discharged after medical treatment.
A common occurrence in Pakistan
Rail accidents are common in Pakistan, which inherited thousands of kilometers of track and trains from former colonial power Britain.
In July 2020, at least 20 people were killed when the Shah Hussain Express train rammed into a coaster near Sheikhupura in Punjab.
In October 2019, at least 75 people died when a train caught fire while traveling from Karachi to Rawalpindi. Two trains carrying hundreds of passengers collided in Karachi in 2016, killing 21 people.
Read more: Ghotki train accident: Is privatization the answer?
The nation has once again been riled up and is demanding that strict measures be taken against Pakistan Railways who has once again failed to ensure the safety of its passengers.
PR Chief Executive Officer Nisar Memon said an inquiry into tragedy would determine the cause of the incident. He conceded that the railway tracks in the Sukkur division were weak, adding that PR had applied speed restrictions in such spots to ensure passenger safety.
APP with additional input by GVS News Desk