Five Killed as Rehman Baba Express Derails Near Multan

MULTAN: At least five passengers were killed and more than 30 others injured when the Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan early Tuesday morning, police and rescue officials said.

All 14 coaches of the train reportedly went off the tracks in the accident, which occurred at around 5:15am, according to a passenger. The train was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar with more than 500 passengers on board, railway sources said.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene and launched an operation to evacuate passengers from the affected coaches. The injured were shifted to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for medical treatment.

Rescue officials said 13 coaches had been cleared, while operations were continuing in the remaining coach. The death toll and number of injured passengers could not be independently verified immediately.

Coach No. 9 reportedly developed a fault

A passenger told reporters that workers had repaired the nuts and bolts of coach number nine near Rohri before the accident.

Railway sources had also indicated that the coach had developed a fault and was inspected after the train was stopped near Rohri. However, the circumstances surrounding the reported repair and its possible connection to the derailment have not been officially established.

The derailment caused a loud bang and disrupted railway operations, with train traffic suspended on both the up and down tracks.

PM takes notice of accident

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and expressed concern over the passengers injured in the accident.

He directed the relevant authorities to accelerate rescue operations and ensure that the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.

Rescue and emergency response operations continued at the accident site as authorities worked to assist passengers and assess the damage.

The cause of the derailment has not yet been officially determined. Pakistan Railways and other relevant authorities are expected to provide further details following an investigation.

Railway safety concerns resurface

The accident has renewed concerns over railway safety and maintenance in Pakistan, where several major train accidents have occurred in recent years.

In August 2023, the derailment of the Hazara Express near Nawabshah in Sindh killed at least 30 people and injured more than 100 others.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s derailment, including the reported technical fault involving coach number nine.