Nearly 19 people, mostly Sikh pilgrims have been reported dead after a bus collided with a train near Shiekupura district on Friday afternoon.
The bus carrying the pilgrims was hit at an unmanned railway crossing by the Karachi bound Shah Hussain Express.
The pilgrims were traveling from Nankana Sahib to Lahore after it came on the rail tracks and got stuck. As per the information acquired from the Police, there were 27 persons in the van at the time of the accident.
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A Pakistan Railways spokesperson said that the collision occurred at a railway crossing located between Farooqabad and Bahali Wala.
It was reported that the Sikh devotees were traveling from Gurdwara Sacha Sauda from Peshawar, while the train was en route to Lahore from Karachi.
Hospital authorities confirmed that there were at least 60 injured being treated, adding that most of them were in critical condition.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed grief at the incident and ordered the best possible medical facilities to the victims.
Railway Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident.
As per eyewitnesses, the railway crossing did not have any barriers to stop the traffic and keep the train tracks clear.
"The bus was stuck on the train track and was hit hard by the train. The train dragged the vehicle to a good distance. Then the vehicle exploded," said an eyewitness.
Sources: IANS