A passenger train derailed in Pakistan's Punjab province, killing at least five people and injuring over 30. All 14 coaches of the Rehman Baba Express left the tracks near Multan.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
A train derailment in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province killed at least five people and injured more than 30 on Tuesday. The accident involved the Rehman Baba Express, which was traveling from the southern port city of Karachi to northwestern Peshawar.
The derailment occurred around 5:15 a.m. local time (0015 GMT) near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan. According to Geo News, which cited police and rescue officials, all 14 coaches of the train left the tracks.
Pakistan Railways’ casualty list shows 41 injured. Of those, three were discharged from the hospital, and 38 were sent to Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The victims include at least 13 minors.
There is a discrepancy regarding the death toll. Pakistan's Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told Dawn, "We have appointed the FGIR to probe the incident. However, I cannot confirm that five passengers have died, as the railway’s divisional superintendent in Multan has reported four deaths."
Rescue teams rushed to the scene to transport the injured. Officials stated that 13 coaches had been cleared, while rescue operations continued in the remaining carriage.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the accident. He directed authorities to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.
Pakistan Railways opened round-the-clock help desks at all major stations to assist travelers. Divisional commercial officers were instructed to arrange alternative travel and ticket refunds where needed. The railway authority said services running through Lodhran and Jahanian are completely back to normal.
An investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched. A passenger told Geo News that workers had repaired nuts and bolts on the train’s ninth coach near Rohri before the derailment. However, authorities had not established the cause of the accident.
Pakistan has witnessed several deadly railway accidents in the past. In August 2023, at least 30 people were killed and over 100 injured when the Hazara Express derailed near Nawabshah in southern Sindh province, according to Geo News.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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