11 train-roof passengers killed in Pakistan

At least 11 people died in Pakistan when they were knocked off the roof of a crowded train or electrocuted after religious flags they were carrying to an Islamic festival became entangled in an overhead power line.

The accident, which also injured more than 40 people, occurred yesterday evening near the town of Sukkur, about 220 miles north-east of Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province.

The casualties were sitting on top of the moving train when they received electric shocks or were swept to the ground by the high-voltage line.

The diesel-powered passenger train was packed with Shiite Muslims travelling to the town of Rohri, near Sukkur, to attend a Shiite Islamic religious gathering.

Those unable to squeeze inside had clambered onto the roof, officials said.

Sukkur police chief Zafar Farooqi said investigators would try to draw lessons from the accident.

“The inquiry will suggest how to better manage the crowd of passengers at special occasions such as Muharram and Eid in the future,” Farooqi said, referring to two major Muslim festivals that see a surge of train passengers.