MULTAN: At least five passengers were killed and 30 others injured when the Rehman Baba Express derailed near Multan early Tuesday morning, according to initial reports.
A passenger said the accident occurred at around 5:15am near the outer signal of Sher Shah Railway Station. The exact cause of the derailment has not yet been determined.
Reports suggested that all coaches of the train went off the tracks. Several injured passengers were said to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and directed the relevant authorities to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure that the injured received immediate medical attention and the best possible treatment.
The authorities were instructed to make all necessary medical facilities available without delay.
The incident comes amid another recent railway accident involving a freight train carrying coal near Jungshahi railway station.
According to railway officials, the goods train was travelling towards Hyderabad on a loop line when it derailed, damaging hundreds of metres of railway track.
No casualties were reported in that incident. However, officials warned that the damage could disrupt train services along the affected route.
Railway staff subsequently launched relief operations to remove the derailed train and clear the track.
