Two express trains collided in Pakistan early on Monday morning, killing at least 25 passengers and injuring dozens of others.
The crash took place in Sindh province in southern Pakistan when the Millat Express derailed and the Sir Syed Express train hit it soon afterwards. The reasons for the initial derailment and the subsequent collision were not immediately clear.
A total of eight carriages of the Millat Express and three – including the engine – of the Sir Syed Express were derailed in the accident. According to authorities and local media, rescuers and villagers were working to pull injured people and more bodies from the wreckage.
Authorities said the toll could rise as there were still mangled train compartments that the rescuers had not yet been able to access.
Umar Tufail, a police chief in Ghotki district in Sindh province, where the collision occurred before dawn, said that between 15 to 20 passengers are still trapped in the wreckage of the Millat Express train and authorities were trying to arrange heavy machinery to rescue those people who are crying for help.
The footage of the accident on social media and local media showed ambulances taking the injured to hospitals, some of whom are critical.
Mr Tufail confirmed to Geo News TV that 32 passengers have lost their lives in the accident and the dead have been taken to nearby hospitals. He said a medical relief camp has been set up at the accident site to provide urgent medical aid to the injured passengers.
Malik Aslam, a local villager, told Pakistan’s Geo News TV that about 100 people were injured and he counted at least 30 bodies of passengers during the rescue and recovery work.
Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan expressed shock and asked the country’s railways minister to travel to the site.
“Shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30 passengers dead. Have asked Railway Minister to reach site & ensure medical assistance to injured & support for families of the dead. Ordering comprehensive investigation into railway safety faultlines,” tweeted Mr Khan.
The media reports quoted an official statement from the Pakistan Army that said it was assisting in the relief and rescue operation. It said that a military doctor and paramedics, along with ambulances, had reached the incident site, and other resources have been moved to carry out necessary relief and rescue work.
The statement said a special army engineer team was being airlifted to the crash site to speed up the relief and rescue efforts. The army is also deploying two helicopters for casualty evacuation and to speed up relief measures.