India, Turkey condole with Pakistan over Ghotki train crash

ISLAMABAD: India and Turkey have extended condolences to Pakistan over the loss of lives in a train collision near Ghotki on Monday morning, which killed nearly 50 people and left more than a hundred injured. 

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Monday said, “We are saddened at the tragic train accident that took place in Ghotki, Sindh today morning. We offer condolences to families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

We are saddened at the tragic train accident that took place in Ghotki, Sindh today morning. We offer condolences to families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured.

— India in Pakistan (@IndiainPakistan) June 7, 2021

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened to receive the news that as a result of a train crash in Ghotki district of Sindh province in Pakistan today more than 30 people have lost their lives and many others were injured.”

“We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident, speedy recovery to those who were injured, and convey our condolences to the friendly Government and the brotherly people of Pakistan,” the Ministry added.

It is worth mentioning here over 40 passengers were killed and several others were injured when two express trains collided near Ghotki on Monday morning. Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab has confirmed that almost 40 passengers were killed. The Millat Express – headed from Karachi to Sargodha – derailed and the Sir Syed Express train hit it soon afterward between Raiti and Daharki railway stations in district Ghotki.

Around 14 boogies of both trains have been damaged while four have been completely destroyed. DC Ghotki Usman Abdullah warned that several people are still trapped in both trains and heavy machinery and cutters are required for the operation while railway traffic has been suspended.

He said officials were facing difficulty in rescuing citizens as the bogies had overturned, expressing fears that the death toll could increase. He said that a relief train had departed from Rohri and the local administration and rescue teams were present on the site of the accident.

An emergency has been declared at hospitals in Ghotki, Dharki, Ubaro and Mirpur Mathelo, and doctors and paramedical staff had been called on duty. Police and rescue teams reached the spot for the rescue and relief operation. Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel have also reached the site of the incident to assist the civil administration in the rescue operation.