NAWABSHAH: At least 30 people have been killed and more than 80 have been injured after 10 bogies of the Hazara Express train Sunday derailed between Shahzadpur and Nawabshah, at least 275 kilometres away from Karachi, officials said. Commissioner Benazirabad division Abbas Baloch said in a statement that at least 30 died in the incident while passengers are still stranded in a bogie.

He said a relief train is also about to arrive and emergency has been imposed in hospitals of the district. Accidents on Pakistan's decaying rail system are common and successive governments have for years been trying to secure funds to upgrade the rail network as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative for infrastructure projects. Benazirabad Deputy Inspector General of Police Younis Chandio said that nine out of 10 wrecked bogies had been cleared, with injured and deceased being pulled out.

He said that the remaining bogie needs heavy machinery to be cleared. The reason behind the train derailment remains unknown. People on the site and local authorities have shifted the wounded passengers to the People's Medical Hospital in Nawabshah, which reportedly can cater to around 1,000 people.

The train operations to and from the interior districts of Sindh were suspended after the train crash, affecting the routine of thousands, with railway authorities saying that it may take up to 18 hours to restore operations. Authorities fear heavy material and life losses as the ill-fated train is said to be carrying a large number of people, even more than its capacity.

The train, comprising 17 bogies with a capacity of 950 passengers in its economy class and 72 in its air-conditioned standard coach, went off track on its way to Havelian from Karachi in district Sanghar, the senior superintendent of police said. He said that 10 station house officers (SHO), four district superintendents of police (DSPs), and more than 100 police personnel are participating in rescue work.

Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique, during a press conference, said someone could have "deliberately" caused the accident and it could also be a mechanical fault. "First, we will provide relief and then investigate. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is reaching the site. Emergency has been imposed in hospitals in Sukkur," the federal minister said.