HYDERABAD: Eight people, including a woman, were killed when a van was crushed under wheels of the Lahore-bound Fareed Express at an unmanned railway crossing near Allah Dino Saand railway station on Sunday night.

Four others were seriously injured and reported to be in critical condition. One person in the van escaped the accident.

According to initial reports, the dead and injured belonged to the same family. They are said to be farm labourers.

Hyderabad railway station superintendent Shamsuddin said Fareed Express had left the station at 10.05pm. It collided with the van between Allah Dino Saand and Detha railway stations about half an hour later.

The Director General of Health Services, Sindh, Dr Hassan Murad Shah, told Dawn that seven bodies and the four injured were taken to Tando Jam taluka hospital. Later the critically injured were shifted to the Liaquat University Hospital.

Ambulances and rescue teams took part in rescue efforts. The wreckage of the van was seen about 200 metres away.

The deceased could not be identified till after midnight.

The railway crossing where the accident took place is in Matiari district.

SSP Matiari Amjad Shaikh said about 13 people were in the ill-fated vehicle.

The train engine was also damaged and railways authorities said it was being replaced. And the train had been stopped at Allah Dino Saand station for the purpose. After the accident, Green Line train was stopped at Hyderabad railway station.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2016