Accessibility links

Breaking News

Pakistan Train Crash Kills At Least 20, Injures Dozens

Updated

The engine of the Akbar Express appeared to be destroyed and at least three carriages were derailed in the collision.
The engine of the Akbar Express appeared to be destroyed and at least three carriages were derailed in the collision.

At least 20 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a passenger train smashed into a freight wagon parked on railway tracks in eastern Pakistan, officials say.

At least 84 people were injured, with some in critical condition, according to physician Javed Ahmed.

Police Chief Umer Salamat said the train was traveling from the eastern city of Lahore to southwestern Balochistan Province when the accident occurred at the Walhar Railway Station near Rahim Yar Khan in the early morning hours of July 11.

The engine of the Akbar Express appeared to be destroyed and at least three carriages were derailed in the collision, Salamat said.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, officials said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the victims and said he was saddened by the news.

Deadly train accidents are not uncommon in Pakistan.

Many lines were constructed by British colonial rulers before 1947 and have not been upgraded.

Based on reporting by dpa, Dunya News, AP, and Geo TV

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG