MULTAN: At least five people were killed and more than 30 injured after the Karachi-to-Peshawar Rahman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah station on Tuesday, railway officials said.
Between 500 and 600 passengers were aboard the train when the incident occurred, according to the railway administration. Rescue operations continued as teams worked to evacuate passengers trapped inside the affected carriages.
Railway officials said 13 carriages had been cleared so far, while efforts to rescue passengers from the remaining carriages were ongoing. One carriage was being cut open to extract those trapped inside.
The injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, while the bodies of those killed were being taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan, Rescue 1122 officials said.
A railway spokesperson confirmed that the death toll had risen to five. Officials said an inquiry committee was investigating the cause of the derailment.
Divisional Superintendent of Railways said efforts to clear the damaged track were progressing rapidly and that down-line train traffic was expected to be restored within four to five hours. Track restoration work was being accelerated following the accident, with clearance operations continuing at the site.
Railway authorities said the restoration of train services would depend on the progress of the clearance operation. Rescue teams and railway staff remained engaged in evacuating passengers, removing damaged carriages and clearing the affected section of track.
The cause of the derailment has not yet been established, and the inquiry committee is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The district administration also launched rescue operations at the site. Deputy Commissioner Dr Faisal Saleem declared an emergency at Nishtar Hospital and directed officials to speed up the transfer of injured passengers.
A relief camp was established near the accident site to provide passengers with accommodation, food and other essential supplies. Saleem said injured passengers were being provided with the best possible medical facilities and that an information desk was also being set up for their relatives.
The deputy commissioner said four deaths and 18 seriously injured passengers had initially been confirmed.
President, PM Shehbaz express concern
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over the derailment and offered condolences to the families of those killed. He directed the relevant authorities to provide immediate assistance and facilities to affected passengers and called for a transparent investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
PM Shehbaz also took notice of the derailment and expressed concern for those injured. He directed the relevant authorities to accelerate rescue operations and ensure that the injured received immediate and appropriate medical treatment.
Fourth passenger train incident in two weeks
The derailment is the fourth incident involving passenger trains in the past two weeks, according to the report.
On September 30, a carriage of the Pakistan Express, travelling from Rawalpindi to Karachi, derailed near Kharian. The following day, the Karachi-to-Lahore Shalimar Express and the Peshawar-to-Quetta Jaffar Express also derailed.
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