A major train accident has been reported from the Punjab province of Pakistan, where a passenger train derailed and overturned on Tuesday. According to the latest reports, at least 5 people have lost their lives in this tragic incident, while more than 30 others have sustained various degrees of injuries. The accident has once again highlighted the safety concerns surrounding the railway infrastructure in the region.
Details of the Derailment
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, specifically around 5:15 AM. The train involved in the accident was the Rehman Baba Express, which was on its way from Karachi to Peshawar. As the train reached the vicinity of the Sher Shah Bridge in Multan, it suddenly veered off the tracks. The impact of the derailment was severe enough to cause several coaches to overturn, leading to immediate casualties and panic among the passengers who were mostly asleep at that hour.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
Following the accident, police and rescue officials rushed to the spot to initiate emergency operations, while geo News, citing police and rescue authorities, confirmed that 5 individuals died at the scene. The number of injured passengers has exceeded 30, all of whom were promptly transported to Nishter Hospital in Multan for medical treatment. Rescue officials reported that 13 coaches have been successfully evacuated, while rescue work continued in one remaining coach to ensure no one was left trapped inside the wreckage.
Passenger Claims Regarding Repairs
In a significant development, a passenger informed journalists that some maintenance work had been carried out on the train prior to the accident. According to the passenger, railway staff had repaired the nuts and bolts of coach number 9 near Rohri. While this claim was highlighted in the report by Geo News, it was noted that the statement has not been independently verified. It remains unclear whether the mentioned repairs had any direct connection to the derailment that occurred later near Multan.
Government Response and Official Statements
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the accident and the injuries sustained by the passengers. He issued immediate directives to the relevant authorities to accelerate the rescue operations. The Prime Minister emphasized that the injured must receive the best possible medical treatment without any delay. While the rescue efforts are ongoing, the official cause of the derailment has not yet been determined. It's expected that Pakistan Railways and other concerned officials will provide a detailed report as the investigation progresses.
Context of Railway Safety in Pakistan
Accidents are unfortunately common in Pakistan's aging and dilapidated railway system. This latest incident brings back memories of a similar tragedy in August 2023, when the Hazara Express derailed near Nawabshah in Sindh. That accident resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people and left more than 100 others injured. Such frequent accidents continue to raise serious concerns regarding the maintenance, safety protocols, and overall infrastructure of the railway network in the country.