Pakistan Railways Records 537 Accidents in Five Years, Unsafe Level Crossings Major Cause
Pakistan Railways has reported a total of 537 accidents over the past five years, with unsafe level crossings identified as the primary cause. Official documents reveal that 313 of these accidents involved fatalities or serious injuries.
During this period, 203,717 train operations were conducted, averaging approximately 40,750 trains annually. On average, 107 train accidents occurred each year, with 2020 witnessing the highest number of incidents at 84.
Out of the total accidents, 217 were attributed to unsafe level crossings, underscoring a critical deficiency in rail infrastructure and public safety measures. Human error was another significant factor, accounting for 103 accidents. In such cases, railway personnel were found responsible, and disciplinary action was taken against 259 employees.
Material failure led to 57 accidents, pointing to gaps in maintenance and technical supervision. Only two incidents over the five-year span were linked to terrorism or sabotage.
The data highlights urgent areas for improvement in Pakistan Railways’ safety protocols, infrastructure, and personnel training to reduce accident rates and enhance passenger safety.
