Six railway officials were suspended for their alleged negligence in the Hazara Express tragedy, the country’s latest train tragedy, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique told the National Assembly.
Last Sunday, ten bogies of the Hazara Express derailed near Sarhari Railway Station on its way from Karachi to Havelian, killing over thirty people and injuring over 100 others in Sanghar’s Nawabshah.
Rafique stated during Tuesday’s NA session that investigations into the matter were underway and that the report would be completed in a few days.
He explained that the Hazara Express tragedy occurred because two wheels of a bogie were jammed when it left Karachi. In addition, the railway track near the crash site was damaged, which contributed to the accident.
According to the minister, the suspended officials were of the BPS-18 and lower grades.
Each of the families of the passengers who died received Rs1.5 million in compensation, he added.
Previously, the Ministry of Pakistan Railways issued a notification to suspend officials in accordance with Rule 5 of the Civil Servants Efficiency and Discipline Rule 2020.
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According to the notification, the officials, who included a divisional engineer and a works manager, were suspended following an investigation.
Six officers were suspended with “immediate effect” and until further orders in connection with the tragedy, according to Rule-5 of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
According to an initial report on the accident, there were no fish plates connecting the line at the site of the accident, and a piece of wood was previously installed for repair instead of the broken track.
The engine’s wheels were also damaged as a result of the derailment, it said, adding that sabotage cannot be ruled out during the investigation.
It was stated that the engineering and mechanical engineering departments are in charge.
Six officers were unable to reach an agreement on the initial report.
