LOC00:41
21:41 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- At least 20 people were killed and over 60 others received injuries in a train-bus collision in Pakistan's southern Sindh province on Friday night.
Deputy chief of the provincial police, AIG Jamil Ahmed in a statement to media confirmed that at least 20 people were killed and dozens others injured when a passenger train collided with a bus near Rohri railway station in Sukkur district.
The Pakistan Express train was on its way to eastern Rawalpindi city from Karachi city when it collided with a passenger bus at a railway crossing. "It was a very horrible accident, the bus was split into three parts," said the official.
Authorities have launched a rescue operation and shifted the injured and bodies to the nearest hospital. The number of casualties is feared to rise as several of the injured were in critical condition.
The deceased included five women where several children and women were also wounded in the accident, said District Health Officer Dr. Munir Mangrio.
The health official confirmed that they have received at least 60 injured people.
The spokesperson for Pakistan Railways expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives announcing that all passengers on the train remained safe.
He also announced an investigation into the incident. Provincial Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed the Sukkur commissioner to dispatch rescue teams to the area.
He also declared emergency at all hospitals near Sukkur and directed the authorities concerned to ensure ample medicines and blood for those injured in the incident. (end)
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