MULTAN – At least 6 people were killed and over 150 injured on Thursday morning when Karachi-bound Awam Express collided with a freight train near Bucch railway station in Sher Shah, Multan.
According to Multan District Coordination Officer (DCO) Nadir Chattha, the incident took place when a freight train overran a man some 25km away from Multan and in the mean time Awam Express, coming from Peshawar using the same rail line, collided with the carriages of the train.
As a result of the collision, four bogies of Awam Express overturned while the engine and the power van were also left completely wrecked.
Rescue officials pronounced at least six people as dead. Dozens of the passengers were wounded and trapped inside the damaged bogies. The injured were rushed to Multan’s Nishtar Medical Hospital and Shahbaz Sharif Hospital.
Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Ashiq feared the number of casualties may rise as several people were in serious condition.
Pakistan Railways also ordered an investigation into the mishap, directing all of the concerned officials reach the accident spot.