LAHORE, Oct 13: At least five people were killed and 30 others injured after a passenger train derailed in Pakistan’s Punjab province early Tuesday, prompting emergency rescue operations and raising fresh concerns about railway safety.
The accident occurred at around 5:15 am when the Rehman Baba Express, travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, went off the tracks near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan, according to police officials.
The injured passengers were shifted to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for medical treatment, while rescue personnel continued efforts to clear the affected coaches and assist those on board, Geo News reported.
Rescue officials said 13 coaches had been cleared, while operations were continuing in one remaining coach. Authorities were working to ensure that all passengers requiring assistance could be reached safely.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the concerned authorities to accelerate rescue efforts. He also instructed officials to ensure that those injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.
Meanwhile, a passenger reportedly claimed that railway workers had repaired nuts and bolts on coach number nine near Rohri before the train derailed. However, the allegation has not been independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation that the reported maintenance work had any connection with the accident.
The precise cause of the derailment remains unknown. Pakistan Railways and other relevant authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish what led to the train leaving the tracks.
The accident has renewed concerns about the condition of Pakistan’s railway infrastructure, where previous derailments have highlighted the importance of maintenance, operational safety and timely inspections.
In August 2023, the derailment of the Hazara Express near Nawabshah in Sindh province killed at least 30 people and injured more than 100 others. The incident prompted renewed scrutiny of railway safety standards and the maintenance of tracks and rolling stock.
As rescue operations continue in Multan, authorities face the immediate task of assisting affected passengers, determining the cause of the derailment and assessing whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.