The Rehman Baba Express, travelling from the southern port city of Karachi to the northwestern city of Peshawar, derailed in Sher Shah in Punjab province, according to news agency AP, which cited Pakistan Railways spokesperson Kaleem Akhtar. Pakistan-based Geo News reported that the accident occurred at around 5.15am.
The injured passengers were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment, while rescue teams continued operations at the accident site. The derailment left at least six people dead, with several others sustaining injuries.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths in separate statements. Both leaders directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for those injured in the accident.
The latest derailment has drawn attention to the recurring safety challenges facing Pakistan’s railway network. Train accidents are relatively common in the country, where the railway system has suffered from decades of underinvestment, outdated tracks and ageing signalling systems.
In 2023, 10 carriages of a passenger train derailed in southern Pakistan, killing 30 people and injuring more than 90 others.
The latest incident in Sher Shah adds to the country’s record of deadly railway accidents, with rescue operations continuing as injured passengers receive medical treatment.
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