12 killed as train derails in Balochistan

Islamabad: At least 12 people were killed and over 50 including children injured on Tuesday when a Rawalpindi-bound train derailed near Aab-e-Gum area of Bolan district in Balochistan.
"The Rawalpindi-bound Jaffer Express derailed from its tracks after it left Quetta, killing at least 12 people," Deputy Superintendent of Pakistan Railway said.
It was not clear what caused the accident but officials did not rule out sabotage.
Separatists who have continued a low key insurgency in Balochistan have been accused of uprooting tracks in the province.
Four carriages of a Rawalpindi-bound train which left Quetta railway station were derailed near Ab-e-Gum area, some 75 kilometres from Quetta city," Akbar Hussain Durrani, home secretary of Balochistan, said .
"The incident happened because the brakes of the train failed."
The dead and injured were shifted to a local hospital and further investigations are underway.
"Emergency has been declared in all government hospitals across Quetta," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfarz Bugti said. A quick reaction force of FC Balochistan reached at site of train accident for rescue operation, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). "Twenty six seriously wounded passengers are being evacuated by Pakistan Army helicopters to Quetta from site of accident," the ISPR statement added.
news@khaleejtimes.com
(with inputs from agencies)

• Pakistan