MULTAN, Pakistan — Two express trains collided in southern Pakistan early Monday and at least 25 passengers were killed, police and rescue officials said.

TAIWAN TRAIN CRASH: AT LEAST 48 KILLED IN DEADLIEST RAIL DISASTER IN COUNTRY'S HISTORY

The Millat Express derailed and the Sir Syed Express train hit it soon afterward, said Usman Abdullah, a police officer in Ghotki district in Sindh province, where the collision occurred.

Two express trains collided in southern Pakistan early Monday and at least 25 passengers were killed, police and rescue officials said.  (FILE Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

He said villagers, rescuers, and police were transporting the dead and injured passengers to nearby hospitals.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the derailment and the subsequent collision.

Train accidents are common in Pakistan, where successive governments have paid little attention to improving the poorly maintained signal system and aging tracks.