Train Accident: A major train accident occurred in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Tuesday morning. The Rehman Baba Express, traveling from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed near the Sher Shah Bridge in Multan. At least 5 people died in the incident, and approximately 30 others are reported to be injured. Following the accident, relief and rescue teams arrived at the scene and launched an operation to safely evacuate the passengers.
Accident occurred at 5:15 AM
According to reports, the accident took place around 5:15 AM on Tuesday. The Rehman Baba Express was en route from Karachi to Peshawar when it derailed near the Sher Shah Bridge in Multan, causing panic among the passengers.
Citing police and rescue officials, Geo News reported that the injured have been taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment. Relief and rescue operations continued at the site. Officials stated that 13 coaches of the train had been cleared, while a rescue operation was still underway in one of the coaches.
Claims of repairs to coach nuts and bolts prior to the accident
After the incident, a passenger told reporters that railway staff had repaired the nuts and bolts of the train’s ninth coach near Rohri. However, this claim has not been independently verified. It is also currently unclear whether there is any connection between the alleged repairs and the derailment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issues directives
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern for the passengers injured in the accident. He directed the relevant authorities to accelerate relief and rescue efforts and emphasized the need to provide the injured with quality medical care without delay.
Cause of the accident not yet clear
The official cause of the train’s derailment has not yet been disclosed. Detailed information is expected to be released by Pakistan Railways and relevant authorities as the rescue operation progresses.
Concerns regarding railway safety and maintenance in Pakistan have been raised in the past as well. In August 2023, at least 30 people died and over 100 were injured when the Hazara Express derailed near Nawabshah in the Sindh province. Following this latest incident, attention has once again turned to the state of rail safety and maintenance systems.
