MULTAN, Pakistan A passenger train ploughed into an oil truck in a central Pakistani town Sunday killing the train's fireman and injuring at least 30 passnegers, railway officials said. Seven coaches of the Karachi-bound Tezrao Express were derailed while its engine was badly damaged, they said. Officials said the accident occured at an unmanned level crossing in the town of Khanpur, some 227 kilometers (142 miles) southwest of here when the oil tanker suddenly appeared on the track.

The driver of the train applied its brakes but failed to stop and it slammed into the vehicle. The oil tanker was totally destroyed and its driver critically injured, witnesses said. They said the fireman of the train died soon after the collision and the condition of the train driver was also reported to be serious in hospital. (AFP)