MULTAN: The Karachi to Peshawar-bound Rahman Baba Express met with an accident near Sher Shah Bridge, resulting in the derailment of all 15 coaches, killing four passengers while more than 12 were injured in the incident.
The cause of the incident is reported to be a loose attachment of the railway track. According to reports, the accident occurred at around 5:15 am. Rescue teams immediately started operations, and the injured were shifted to Nishtar Hospital Multan, where they are being provided medical assistance.
Passengers were seen sitting on the railway tracks with their luggage after the accident. Initial reports suggest that the Rahman Baba Express was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar when all its coaches derailed near Sher Shah Bridge.
Meanwhile, some sources claimed that the train was speeding at the time of the accident; however, the actual cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. A passenger claimed that nuts and bolts of the ninth bogie of Rahman Baba Express were repaired near Rohri.
However, this claim could not be independently verified, and it is not clear whether it had any connection with the accident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the train accident and expressed sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.
He expressed best wishes for early recovery of the injured and directed the concerned authorities to expedite relief activities and provide all possible medical facilities to the victims.
Rescue operations are underway, while an investigation is necessary to know the reasons for the derailment of all coaches. Pakistan Army soldiers took part in rescue activities and shifted the injured to the hospital promptly.
Meanwhile, a 27-year-old youth died after being hit by a train at Adamzai Phatak in Nowshera. According to Rescue 1122 Nowshera, the deceased youth has been identified as Jamal Umar, a resident of Shaidu.
As soon as the information was received, the medical team of Rescue 1122 Session 33 reached the spot. According to rescue sources, the youth had died on the spot. Later, rescue officials shifted the body to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Nowshera.
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