At Least 30 Killed After 2 Express Trains Collide In Pakistan

Two express trains collided in southern Pakistan early Monday, killing at least 30 passengers, as rescuers and villagers worked to pull injured people and more bodies from the wreckage.

Reports say 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.

Umar Tufail, a police chief in Ghotki district in Sindh province, where the collision occurred before dawn.

Usman Abdullah, a deputy commissioner in Ghotki says the Millat Express derailed and the Sir Syed Express train hit it soon afterward. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the derailment and the subsequent collision.

Abdullah said so far 30 people had died. According to railway officials, about 1,100 passengers were on board the two trains, and arrangements were being made to help the surviving passengers.

According to local media, some of the passengers were traveling by the Millat Express train to attend a wedding party but it was unclear whether they were among the dead or injured.

TV footage showed ambulances transporting injured passengers to hospitals. According to Pakistani TV stations, heavy machinery had not reached the scene about four hours after the crash.

Officials at Pakistan railways said they had ordered an investigation and rescue work was still in progress.

Some of the injured passengers were listed in critical condition at a hospital.