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Events on January 4 in history

1990Jan, 4

In Pakistan's deadliest train accident an overloaded passenger train collides with an empty freight train, resulting in 307 deaths and 700 injuries.

The Sukkur rail disaster occurred on 4 January 1990 in the village of Sangi near Sukkur in the Sindh Province of Pakistan. 307 people were killed, making it Pakistan's worst rail disaster.The train concerned (Bahauddin Zakaria Express) was on a 800-kilometre (500 mi) overnight run from Multan to Karachi and was carrying many more passengers in its 16 carriages than its 1408-seat capacity. It was supposed to pass straight through the village of Sangi but incorrectly set rail points sent it into a siding where it collided with an empty 67-car freight train at a speed of at least 55 kilometres per hour (35 mph). The first three carriages were destroyed and the next two badly damaged; 307 people were killed and 700 injured.

The investigation found railway staff to be 'directly responsible' for the disaster. Three staff on duty at Sangi station were charged with manslaughter.

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Events on 1990

  • 2Aug

    Gulf War

    Iraq invades Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War.
  • 8Aug

    Gulf War

    Iraq occupies Kuwait and the state is annexed to Iraq. This would lead to the Gulf War shortly afterward.
  • 23Aug

    Gulf War

    Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War.
  • 28Aug

    Kuwait

    Iraq declares Kuwait to be its newest province.
  • 28Nov

    Margaret Thatcher

    British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader of the Conservative Party and the prime ministry, and is succeeded as both by John Major.