‘Responsible people behind Lodhran train accident will not be spared’

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Saturday that responsible people because of whose negligence the Lodhran train accident happened would not be spared.

Speaking in Lahore, the minister informed the media that police officials have arrested drivers of the two trains and gatekeeper and added that an investigation team also visited the accident spot to get a clear view of what might have happened.

He said that an inquiry report into the accident was expected in the next 24 hours.

According to him several reasons including human error, poor visibility due to thick fog and technical issues could be behind the accident, which could only be revealed once the investigation was completed.

“The railway gate was not closed and the signal was up so the train should have not passed the level crossing in such situation,” said the minister and added, “First the rickshaw was hit by the train while a second one, smashed into the running train itself.

“There are so many questions but we all should wait for the initial investigation report,” Rafique said while expressing deep sorrow over the incident and extending sympathy to the bereaved families.

At least nine people including six children were killed when a rickshaw collided with a train in Lodhran on Friday morning.