Five passengers killed, several injured as two trains collide near Hyderabad

Five people were killed and several passengers sustained injured when a passenger train collided with a cargo train near Hyderabad, rescue sources said. However,Railway authorities insisted on three casualties only

South Punjab News citing rescue sources reported that several bogies of the passenger train --Jinnah Express --derailed after the collision.The  injured are being shifted to nearby hospitals.The accident occurred in Hyderabad’s Pathan Goth area when Lahore-bound Jinnah Express collided with another train. The bogies the rains were completely destroyed in the collision.

The first responders rushed to help commuters after the collision.

TV footage showed mangled and overturned carriages, and the rescuers were working to free people trapped in the wreckage.A fatal train accident has been reported in Pakistan, a freight train collided with a passenger train near Hyderabad on Thursday.

According to initial reports, three people died in the accident while dozens of injuries have been reported. Resource sources fear more casualities as the rescue operations continue.

The Jinnah Express passenger train going from Karachi to Lahore collided with a freight train near Hyderabad, South Punjab News reported. The passenger train rammed into the freight train, which was stationary, near the railway station. The passenger train's engine and boggies were severely damaged.

Video footage showed hundreds of people from the nearby areas gathered at the accident site while many of them were seen helping in the rescue operation. The footage also shows badly smashed engine parts and passenger compartments.

"A driver, an assistant driver and a guard lost their lives in the incident outside Hyderabad at a signal crossing," said Federal Railways Minister Shiekh Rashid Ahmed. "All passengers are safe". He said the matter was being investigated and a brief report on it would be released within an hour.

Station Superintendent Mohammad Rizwan said that the Jinnah Express crashed into the freight train possibly because the train driver wasn't able to get the signal.Officials fear for  more casualties in the collision.The  railway traffic has been suspended following the incident.

How it happened

The Lahore-bound Jinnah Express, which had departed from Karachi, rammed into a Yusufwala-bound stationary goods train carrying coal.

A heavy contingent of Rangers and police rushed to the spot after the accident as security officials struggled to keep bystanders, who had gathered at the track, away from the wreckage.

Fire tenders rushed to the spot and sprayed the wreckage to reduce chances of the engine and coal-laden bogies igniting.

The Jinnah Express engine was derailed, although the bogies remained on the tracks. The section of track occupied by the train was considerably damaged.

Three bogies of the goods train capsized due to the impact of the collision. The goods train was detached from the affected bogies and taken to a railway station.

Railway authorities made arrangements for a crane to remove the remaining debris and restore the up-country track.

Meanwhile, labourers began separating the damaged parts of the Jinnah Express engine from the goods train.

Edhi volunteers wade through large crowds to carry the bodies over to the ambulance. 

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Shah expressed sorrow over the accident, a statement by his spokesperson said.

The chief minister directed the Hyderabad commissioner to provide the injured with all possible assistance and instructed the hospital to make the necessary arrangements in this regard.

'Apologise to inconvenienced passengers'

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed issued a video statement following the incident.

"Today around 5:30pm Jinnah [Express] hit a stationary goods train from behind near Hyderabad due to which three people were killed: a driver and two assistant drivers, named Chandio, Noman and Yasir," he said as he began his message.

"I have already issued instructions for the matter to be investigated and for the probe to be concluded within 24 hours. On Saturday at 1pm, I will also give my decision on this," said the railways minister.

Rasheed said that the train lines had been opened and that the down track was clear for traffic.

"The train has departed for its destination carrying passengers who all remained unhurt. I apologise to all the passengers of Pakistan Railways who were inconvenienced," he concluded.