| Sadiqabad rail accident | |
| Pushpin Map: | Pakistan |
| Coordinates: | 28.2015°N 69.9906°W |
| Time: | 4:30 am |
| Location: | Walhar railway station, Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| Trains: | 2 |
| Deaths: | 24 |
The Sadiqabad railway accident occurred on 11 July 2019 in Rahim Yar Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. The Quetta-bound Akbar Express collided with a cargo rake at Walhar railway station (parked at the passing loop), due to improper handling of the track switching mechanism.[1] [2] [3] The accident took place around 4:30 a.m. (Pakistan Standard Time), about south of the district headquarters of Rahim Yar Khan and the train engines were completely destroyed.
Relief operations were launched immediately and a medical emergency was declared at nearby hospitals.[4] An inquiry has been ordered and proportionate compensation for the victims were announced by the railway ministry.[5] [6] Whilst the unaffected coaches of the train left for its destination, regular traffic along the stretch of ML1 route was suspended.[7]
President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political leaders offered their condolences;[8] the opposition noted such accidents to be a recurring event in the recent past and sought for the resignation of the incumbent Rail Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.[9] [10]
Twenty-four passengers were killed.[11]