A preliminary report of the departmental probe into the Hazara Express crash near Nawabshah has hinted at missing fishplates, damaged track and a sabotage effort as the main reasons behind the tragic incident, says in media reports. Hazara Express crash near Nawabshah had left at least 30 people dead and scores injured on Sunday. “After checking from all the aspects, we came to he conclusion that the accident took place due to broken rail track and missing fishplates,” said the report.

The six-member Pakistan Railways inquiry team also identified skidding of the train’s locomotive as another reason behind the derailment. The report said the train engine had left the site without examination by senior subordinates. Moreover, “little hitting spots” were found on the iron fishplates and wooden terminal beyond the accident point. “Hence the engineering branch and mechanical branch are held responsible for this accident,” it reads.

The document says that sabotage cannot be rejected as the derailed coaches were dragged to a distance of 750 feet. Two of the team members gave dissenting notes. “The derailment took place due to two fishplates missing, broken rail, [and] engine derailment inside the track due to spread of the gauge. Resultantly, the grazing marks were also found visible on outside the wheel disc. Also no heating marks were observed on the track, fishplates and bolts,” said on the team member.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)