At least seven people were killed and 40 others injured after a passenger train derailed in Pakistan early Tuesday morning, sending all 14 cars off the tracks and triggering a massive emergency rescue operation.
The tragedy unfolded around 5:15 a.m. local time on October 13, near the city of Multan in Pakistan’s Punjab province, as the Rehman Baba Express traveled from Karachi to Peshawar.
The train was approaching the Sher Shah railway area when it suddenly derailed, leaving passenger cars scattered across the tracks and dozens of travelers injured.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where rescue workers searched damaged railcars and helped passengers escape.
Initial reports confirmed five deaths and approximately 35 injuries, but Pakistani news outlet Geo News later reported that the death toll had risen to seven, with 40 people injured.
Rescue officials said they had cleared 13 of the train’s 14 cars while continuing to search the remaining coach.
Injured passengers were transported to Nishtar Hospital in Multan, where medical teams worked to treat those hurt in the crash.
Photographs and video from the scene showed derailed train cars sitting at unusual angles across the tracks as frightened passengers gathered nearby with their belongings. Ambulances and rescue vehicles lined the surrounding area while emergency workers assisted survivors.
Pakistan Railways spokesperson Kaleem Akhtar confirmed that an investigation was underway to determine what caused the train to leave the tracks.
Officials initially declined to speculate about the cause, explaining that investigators needed to examine the train and surrounding railway infrastructure before reaching a conclusion.
However, subsequent local reporting indicated that a preliminary railway investigation had identified a possible defect in one of the passenger coaches. Authorities have not yet established a final cause.
The derailment also disrupted rail traffic in the area, forcing officials to suspend service while crews cleared the damaged cars and inspected the tracks.
Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi visited the accident site and ordered a formal investigation. He also announced that financial assistance would be provided to victims and their families under the railway’s insurance arrangements.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the families of those killed and instructed officials to accelerate rescue operations and ensure injured passengers received immediate medical treatment.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed grief over the deadly accident.
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns about railway safety in Pakistan, where aging infrastructure, outdated equipment and insufficient maintenance have contributed to serious accidents over the years.
In August 2023, a passenger train derailed near Nawabshah in southern Pakistan, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 100 others.
Pakistan’s extensive railway network carries millions of passengers annually, connecting major cities and rural communities across the country.
Railway officials have previously acknowledged the need to modernize aging tracks, upgrade signaling systems and improve safety measures to reduce the risk of future accidents.
For now, investigators are examining the damaged train and railway infrastructure as families await answers about what caused Tuesday’s devastating derailment.
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