At least 17 people were killed and over 40 injured today following a collision between a passenger train and a goods train after its driver missed a signal on the outskirts of this southern Pakistani port city.

Officials said the Karachi-bound Allama Iqbal Express rammed into the Super Parcel Express near Jumma Goth railway station this morning.

Senior railways official Yusuf Soomro said the accident occurred because the driver of Allama Iqbal Express missed a signal and hit the cargo train from the rear.

DSP Railways Aftab Memon said the accident appears to have happened because of the "negligence of the driver and that is why the passenger train rammed into the freight train coming from the opposite direction".

Other officials also said the collision took place due to a "mix-up" over signals.

The first two coaches of the passenger train were severely damaged, resulting in deaths and injuries among passengers, including women and children.

Soon after the collision, people from nearby areas rushed to the site of the accident and helped police and rescue service personnel in pulling bodies and the injured out of the train.

Soomro said rescue operations were completed at 2.15 pm local time and the injured sent to hospitals.

Rescue and police officials said that the death toll could rise as some of the injured were in critical condition after being shifted to government hospitals.

Train services were restored on the affected line after four to five hours, Memon said.