Death toll rises to 17 in Gujranwala train tragedy

GUJRANWALA: Another five bodies were recovered from the canal overnight and Friday as the death toll from the train tragedy rose to 17.

According to the ISPR, rescue teams including army aviation helicopters and SSG divers are still carrying out a search operation.

Search for a missing soldier from the canal is still ongoing, while after receiving clearance from the divers that the search in the bogies is over, the repair work on the bridge began.

At least 12 people died yesterday and 85 were injured when four bogies of a special train carrying Pakistan military troops and their families to Kharian fell into a canal near Jamke Chattha in Gujranwala.

Four of the passenger bogies as well as the engine compartment fell as a bridge collapsed, derailing the train.

Railways officials said the rescue operation were underway at the site of the incident despite nightfall.

“We cannot say anything at the moment about the cause of this incident. Sabotage cannot be ruled out either,” said senior Railways official Deputy DS Bilal Sarwar.

Earlier, DG ISPR Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted that Unit Commander Lieutenant Colonel Amir Jadoon was also among those killed in the incident.



Also among the martyred were Jadoon's wife and two children, Colonel Rashid, Captain Adil, Lieutenant Kashif, Lance Naik Zafar, Lance Naik Islam, Lance Naik Saleem, and Lance Naik Babar Usman.

Several passengers were said to be injured that were travelling on the train which was on its way to Kharian from Pannu Aqil when the bridge collapsed.

A relief train from Lahore was dispatched on the orders of Divisional Superintendent Pakistan Railways, which is carrying medical, mechanical as well as technical staff.

Also read: Railway Minister hints at 'sabotage'

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the accident and directed the Punjab government and relief services to provide all resources.

The PM added that the injured should be provided the best facilities.

Funeral prayers offered for martyrs of incident

Funeral prayers were offered Thursday night and Friday for the martyrs who were killed during the train tragedy.

Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif also attended the funeral prayers at Airbase Gujranwala.

Among the martyrs whose funeral prayers were offered were Unit Commander Lieutenant Colonel Amir Jadoon, his wife and two children, Major Abid, Captain Kashif, Lieutenant Abbas, Sepoy Sultan, Sepoy Dhani Baksh, Sepoy Saleem and Sepoy Arshad.