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At least 32 dead, 120 injured as train derailed in Pakistan

The race for energy by rising powers China and India will intensify in 2008 as they scour the world for fuel to feed their booming economies, and China has taken a big early lead, analysts say.

Fifteen out of 17 bogies of the Lahore-bound Karachi Express ferrying over 1,000 passengers jumped the rails as the engine was separated from rest of the train at Naushera Feroze, about 400 kms from Karachi, at around 0225AM (0255 IST).

"It appears that damage to the track had caused the engine to separate from rest of the train," Mohd Khalid, a railway official who was travelling in the train said.

So far, 32 bodies have been brought to the hospital, officials said, adding 120 people were injured in the mishap.

The toll is feared to rise as many people are still trapped in the wreckage, they said.

Most of the passengers were returning home to celebrate Eid on 21st December.

Three rescue trains have been rushed to the accident site, they said.

Rescue operation

Rescue operations have begun and were being assisted by Pakistan Rangers and local villagers.

Efforts were on to retrieve the trapped passengers from the wreckage.

Rescuers were battling with severe cold weather in carrying out the rescue operations. - By DDNEWS

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