By NNN-APP
Islamabad : At least 45 people were killed and more than 100 injured when 14 out of 16 coaches of Lahore-bound Karachi Express derailed at Mehrabpur in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Minister for Railways, Mansoor Tariq told APP that an investigation has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the train wreck.
The rescue teams of Railways, Police and Rangers have been dispatched to the site of accident for immediate relief, while emergency cells at Karachi and Lahore have set up for further information about the accident.
The Minister along with the Chairman Railways, Ghiasuddin, who rushed to the site of the accident to supervise the relief and rescue operation, further said that alternate trains have been made available to take the passengers to their destinations.
President Pervez Musharraf directed immediate inquiry into the causes leading to the derailment of the Karachi Express and the heavy loss of life.
The President directed the Pakistan Railways to investigate into the matter and fix responsibility so that the culprits may be punished and measures taken to ensure such incidents do not recur.
President Musharraf also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in the accident 5 km north of Mehrabpur, near Sukkur.
He directed the concerned authorities to provide best possible medical treatment to those injured and to facilitate the passengers of the train.
Pakistan Railway authorities have set up emergency cells in Hyderabad for providing information about those who died or wounded in Lahore bound Karachi Express accident near Sukkur.
However, the list of dead and injured is still missing from the notice board of the Emergency Cell, while the officials of the Karachi Cantt. told the list would be put on display, as soon as the complete information was received.
Railway officials said that relatives of the passengers of ill fated train were making frantic telephone calls, as the people wanted to know the safety and whereabouts of their loved ones.
On the other hand, Sukkur Express, Khyber Mail and Burraq Express departing after Karachi Express were stopped at different stations as soon the Karachi Express wreck news were received. Besides, a large number of passengers at Karachi Cantt Station were seen stranded due to held up trains.
Railway officials told that Hazara Express was flagged off at 6.15 this morning and other trains would also be run on schedule.
A high level probe has been ordered to ascertain causes of the train accident, said Ishfaq Umrani, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Naushero Feroz.
The DCO said the possibility of terrorism cannot be ruled out.
District Police Officer Nuashero Feroze Abdul Hadi said the track will be opened for traffic within hours. He said six of the injured were soldiers. Dozens of injured were shifted to hospitals in Ghotki and Karachi.
Emergency was also declared in the hospitals of Nawabshah, Khairpur, Kadiaro, Gambut and Ranipur. People rushed to the hospitals to donate blood for the injured.