Trains collide in Pakistan, 2 killed

Two special passenger trains, carrying people headed home for Eid celebrations, collided near Lahore on Tuesday, killing two persons and injuring 19 others.

The two special Eid trains collided after one of them had to unexpectedly stop near Lahore railway station and the other hit it from behind.

According to Deputy Inspector General (Pakistan Railways) Munir Ahmed Chishti, the Bahu Mail from Wazirabad district had to stop some two km away from Lahore railway station after a man committed suicide by jumping in front of it.

"As the train was stopped there, another special Eid train -- the Khyber Mail -- coming from Peshawar on the same track, hit it from the rear, resulting in the derailing of three bogies of the Bahu Rail and injuries to several passengers," the deputy inspector general said.

The engine of the Khyber Mail was damaged completely in the accident.

He said one passenger and the driver of Khyber Mail were killed while the condition of five injured was stated to be critical.

Rescue teams shifted the injured to hospitals in Lahore. They also cleared the track with the help of railway authorities.

Pakistan Railways General Manager Akhtar Saeed said a committee had been constituted to probe the incident.