By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, (AA): At least four people were killed and dozens injured late Wednesday when a passenger train collided with a freight train in central Pakistan, an official said.

The collision around 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the city of Multan in the Punjab region happened when a Karachi-bound passenger train collided with stationary goods wagons.

Saima Khizar, a senior Pakistan Railways official, said the driver of the passenger train had ignored a red signal. She said more than 50 people were taken to hospitals around Multan, with another 50 treated at the scene by rescue workers, who were later joined by soldiers.

“Efforts are underway to clear the track, which will take at least 18 hours,” she added.

Pakistan has had a long history of road and train disasters largely due to a lack of investment and poor safety standards. More than 30 people were killed and scores injured in two separate train accidents last year in Punjab and Baluchistan provinces.

[Photo: People inspect the site of the train accident in Multan, Pakistan on September 15, 2016.  Photographer: USMAN KHAN/AA]