Karachi, Oct 13: A horrific train accident occurred early Tuesday morning near Multan in Pakistan’s Punjab province. All 14 coaches of the ‘Rehman Baba Express’ passenger train, traveling from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed near the Sher Shah Bridge, resulting in the deaths of at least four passengers and leaving many others seriously injured. The accident took place around 5:15 AM, and rescue teams have admitted the injured to Nishtar Hospital in Multan.
Speaking to the local newspaper ‘Dawn’, the loco pilot, Rizwan Abbas, described the moment of the tragedy. The signal was green and clear, and the train was moving at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. As the train was passing the Sher Shah station area, there was a sudden, massive jolt and a sensation of being pushed. The driver stated that he immediately applied the emergency brakes and brought the train to a halt; upon stepping down from the engine, he discovered that all the coaches behind it had derailed and toppled over to the side. Rescue from 14 coaches: Rescue personnel and paramedical teams rushed to the site and evacuated passengers from the derailed coaches. Thirteen coaches have been fully cleared, and operations to clear the final coach are underway.
Condolences from the Prime Minister and President: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have expressed deep condolences over the incident; they have ordered that the injured receive the best possible medical care and that rescue operations be expedited.
Alternative transport arrangements: A special alternative train has been arranged for over 500 passengers from Sher Shah station. Special buses have been provided for those traveling by road, and ticket refund counters have been set up. A passenger informed the media that railway workers had carried out urgent repairs on the nuts and bolts of the ninth coach near Rohri station prior to the accident; however, it has not been officially confirmed whether there is a link between these repairs and the derailment.
High-level inquiry: Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi stated that an inquiry, led by the Federal Government Inspector of Railways, has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the incident. Train accidents in Pakistan are recurring frequently due to aging British-era tracks, a lack of adequate signaling systems, and poor maintenance.
The Main Line-1 (ML-1) route, where the accident occurred, is Pakistan’s busiest rail corridor; although Chinese funding under CPEC was expected for its modernization, delays in the work have contributed to safety lapses.