SADIQABAD: (DNA) – The death toll of the horrific railway accident following a collision between Quetta bound Akbar Express and a freight train at Walhar Railway Station has risen to 21, authorities said. At least 79 people were injured in the incident.

The accident took place around 4:15 am, when Akbar Express hit a parked freight train at the Walhar Railway Station, resulting in the death of 11 passengers and wounds to 60 others.

Getting the information, the rescue teams have reached the spot and currently, the rescue operation was underway.

Injured persons were shifted to the hospitals of Sadiqabad and Rahim Yar Khan where an emergency has been declared.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan Jameel Ahmed has established a control room to provide necessary information to the victim families. The numbers of the control room are 068-9230109 and 0300-9402579.

According to DPO Rahim Yar Khan Umer Salamat, the rescue operation is underway. Hydraulic cutters have been called at the site to retrieve dead bodies.