At least six passengers were killed and 30 others injured after all 14 coaches of the Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan early Tuesday, police and rescue officials said, prompting rescue operations and a response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The injured were shifted to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment, while rescue teams continued operations at the accident site.
The accident occurred at around 5:15am, according to a passenger.
The train was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, according to earlier police information.
Rescue officials said 13 coaches had been cleared, while rescue work was continuing in one coach.
Further details about the condition of the injured and the circumstances surrounding the deaths were awaited.
A passenger told reporters that workers had repaired the nuts and bolts of coach number nine near Rohri before the accident.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and expressed concern over the passengers injured in the accident.
He directed the relevant authorities to speed up rescue operations and ensure the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.
The cause of the derailment has not yet been officially established. Pakistan Railways and relevant authorities are expected to provide further details as rescue operations progress.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for injured passengers.
Abbasi departed for the accident site to assess the situation and review the ongoing rescue and relief operations in person, according to a statement issued by the Railways spokesperson.
Abbasi said that compensation would be provided to passengers killed or injured in the accident in accordance with the Railways insurance policy.
Meanwhile, the Railway spokesperson said train operations via Lodhran and Jahanian had been fully restored.
The accident adds to a series of serious railway incidents in Pakistan.
In August 2023, the derailment of the Hazara Express near Nawabshah in Sindh killed at least 30 people and injured more than 100, raising renewed concerns about railway safety and maintenance.
