Lahore, October 13: At least five people were killed and around 30 others injured after a passenger train derailed in Pakistan’s Punjab province early Tuesday, police said.
The accident occurred at around 5:15 am when the Rehman Baba Express, travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan.
The injured were rushed to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment, while rescue teams continued operations at the accident site.
According to rescue officials, 13 coaches had been cleared during the operation, while rescue work was still underway in one remaining coach.
A passenger reportedly claimed that nuts and bolts on the ninth coach had been repaired near Rohri before the accident. However, the claim has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the reported repair was connected to the derailment.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the concerned authorities to expedite rescue operations. He also instructed officials to ensure that the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.
The cause of the derailment has not yet been officially established. Pakistan Railways and other relevant authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation and rescue operations progress.
The incident has once again raised concerns about railway safety and maintenance in Pakistan, where serious train accidents have occurred in the past.
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.
