Hundreds of people were reported to have climbed to the roof of the train from Jacobabad and Shikarpur railway stations to travel to Rohri to attend the Muharram 9 procession. The high-tension wire fell on the train near Bughri village. Most of the victims were electrocuted, while others were injured when they jumped from the roof.
Railway traffic between Sindh and Balochistan was suspended. A team of railway officials was sent to the spot to inquire into the incident. Local railway officials said the victims had climbed on the roof of the train illegally to travel to Rohri.
The bodies of eight of the victims were taken to Shikarpur Civil Hospital.
They include, Aamir, Anwer Ali Abro, Rabban, Ellahi Bux, Mustafa, Fattoo and Jawed of Mangwar tribe. Two of the bodies were being shifted to their native village.
Edhi sources said eight critically injured people had been taken to the Chandka Medical College Hospital in Larkana. They said 20 inured people had been taken to the Civil Hospital and Railway Hospital in Sukkur and the Rohri Taluka Hospital.
Seven vans of Shahbaz Rangers with doctors and paramedical staff had been deputed to the spot for first aid, while a special train with technical staff had been sent to Shikarpur to participate in relief work.
Agencies add: A railway official said some of those sitting on the roof carried flags and other symbols that apparently struck the overhead electricity line, electrocuting and throwing people off the train, which was on way from Quetta to Rawalpindi.
The train later left for its destination.
Most of the victims belonged to Jacobabad, Kashmore, Kandhkot and Shikarpur.