New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the tragic demise of Sikh pilgrims in a bus-train collision in Pakistan’s Punjab.
At least 19 Sikh pilgrims were killed today when the passenger vehicle in which they were traveling was hit by a Karachi to Lahore train- Shah Hussain Express- in Sheikhupura district, Pakistan, Geo News reported.
“Pained by the tragic demise of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan. My thoughts are with their families and friends in this hour of grief. I pray that those pilgrims injured recover at the earliest,” PM Modi tweeted.
Pained by the tragic demise of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan. My thoughts are with their families and friends in this hour of grief.
I pray that those pilgrims injured recover at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2020
According to the news report, the railway officials said that the accident took place at a train crossing without a barrier and all the wounded have been shifted to a nearby hospital.
It was also reported that all the bodies have been shifted to the hospital and rescue operation has been completed. The wounded were given first aid by locals at the time of the accident.
All the dead are said to be from one family and were on their way home from Nankana, one of the pious Sikh religious sites while eight others were hurt.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has also issued a statement expressing grief over the loss of lives in the accident and directed authorities to provide best medical treatment to the wounded.
Chief Minister, Punjab, Usman Buzdar also expressed grief, saying that he deeply sympathises with the victims. He gave directions for provision of best treatment to the wounded.
Meanwhile, train accidents in Pakistan have increased in frequency in recent years, according to reports. Last year in November, more than 70 people died when a Karachi-Rawalpindi train caught fire during its journey.
According to the Dawn, more than 100 train-related incidents occurred in 2019 alone, with several resulting in fatalities.
-RJV/ARK
