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Pakistan train crash kills dozens Pakistan train crash kills dozens
(40 minutes later)
A crowded passenger train has derailed in southern Pakistan, killing at least 50 people and injuring up to 100. A crowded passenger train has derailed in southern Pakistan killing at least 50 people and injuring up to 100.
About 12 carriages of a train travelling between Karachi and Lahore came off the rails near the city of Mehrabpur in Sind province. About 12 carriages of a train travelling between Karachi and Lahore came off the rails near the city of Mehrabpur in Sindh province.
Some carriages plunged into water. The express train was packed with passengers returning home for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.Some carriages plunged into water. The express train was packed with passengers returning home for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.
Hundreds of people have died in recent years in crashes on Pakistani railways.Hundreds of people have died in recent years in crashes on Pakistani railways.
Wednesday's crash happened shortly after 0200 (2100 GMT). Hours after the incident, many victims were still trapped. Hours after the accident, rescuers were still trying to cut into at least one of the carriages and trapped passengers were heard calling for help.
'Painful scene' Wednesday's crash happened shortly after 0200 (2100 GMT).
Rescue workers are struggling with large numbers of casualties in the dark and cold and did not have equipment to cut open the carriages, officials said. "We were almost asleep when we heard something - a big bang," passenger Shahid Khan told Reuters news agency.
"Then I felt I was flying through the air and the carriage was tumbling to the ground.
"We were grappling in the darkness," he said. "Somehow we managed to make it out."
Rescue workers struggled with large numbers of casualties in the dark and cold and did not have equipment to cut open the carriages, officials said.
Many locals turned out to help, carrying the injured away on rickshaws, motor-scooters and donkey carts.Many locals turned out to help, carrying the injured away on rickshaws, motor-scooters and donkey carts.
"It's a very painful scene," local officer Ghulam Qadir told the AFP news agency. The scene of the crash was strewn with the wrecked carriages, wheels, and luggage.
"People are trapped in the wreckage and there are cries for help. Policemen pulling out the dead and injured are drenched in blood." Relief trains
Khalid Amin, a senior railway official, told the Associated Press news agency that two relief trains had been dispatched to pick up survivors. Local officer Ghulam Qadir told the AFP news agency: "People are trapped in the wreckage and there are cries for help. Policemen pulling out the dead and injured are drenched in blood."
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. An investigation is under way. Pakistan has a history of deadly railway accidentsKhalid Amin, a senior railway official, said two relief trains had been dispatched to pick up survivors.
Correspondents say casualty figures are often so high because trains are packed with far greater numbers than for which they were designed. An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way.
Pakistan Railways operations manager Asad Saeed told AFP news agency: "Initial reports said a welded joint on the track broke, due to contraction in the extreme cold."
Pakistan has a history of deadly accidents on its ageing railway system.Pakistan has a history of deadly accidents on its ageing railway system.
Signalling faults and poorly maintained tracks are often the cause of the accidents.Signalling faults and poorly maintained tracks are often the cause of the accidents.
Correspondents say casualty figures are often so high because trains are packed with far greater numbers than for which they were designed.
More than 130 people were killed when three trains collided near the southern town of Ghotki in July 2005 in the country's worst train disaster for 15 years.More than 130 people were killed when three trains collided near the southern town of Ghotki in July 2005 in the country's worst train disaster for 15 years.