By Our CorrespondentĀ
MULTAN, Pakistan: At least four passengers were killed and 41 injured when the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan district on Tuesday, prompting an official inquiry and renewed concerns over railway safety and maintenance.
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Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi confirmed four deaths and appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) to investigate the incident and determine its cause.
Speaking to media, Abbasi said the railway’s divisional superintendent in Multan had reported four fatalities. He said he could not confirm an earlier report suggesting that five passengers had died.
Pakistan Railways spokesperson Babar Ali had earlier told Dawn that five passengers were killed in the accident.
According to a casualty list issued by Pakistan Railways, 41 people were injured. Three were discharged from hospital, while 38 were referred to Nishtar Hospital in Multan. At least 13 minors were among the injured.
Driver describes sudden impact
Train driver Rizwan Abbas told Dawn that the train was travelling at approximately 100 kilometres per hour when the incident occurred.
He said the signal was clear as the train passed through the Sher Shah station area, where he suddenly felt a push.
Abbas said he applied the brakes and managed to stop the locomotive. When he got out and looked towards the rear, he saw that the passenger coaches had derailed and fallen off the tracks.
The driver maintained that the train was in working order.
The exact cause of the derailment remains unclear and will be examined during the official investigation.
Rescue operations and passenger assistance
Following the accident, Abbasi directed railway officials to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to injured passengers.
He also announced that compensation would be provided to the deceased and injured in accordance with the Pakistan Railways insurance policy.
The minister travelled to the accident site to assess the situation and review rescue and relief operations.
A replacement train carrying more than 500 passengers was dispatched from Sher Shah Railway Station, according to an official statement. Buses were also arranged in coordination with the Multan district administration for passengers who wished to continue their journeys by road.
Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan visited affected passengers and their families, assuring them of all possible assistance. He directed officials to arrange temporary accommodation, transport and breakfast for passengers stranded by the disruption.
Pakistan Railways also established round-the-clock information and assistance desks at major railway stations. Divisional commercial officers were instructed to arrange alternative travel options and facilitate ticket refunds where necessary.
Railway authorities said train operations through Lodhran and Jahanian had been fully restored.
Minister acknowledges maintenance problems
Speaking to the media after the accident, Abbasi acknowledged the government’s responsibility for ensuring passenger safety and highlighted longstanding concerns over the condition of railway assets.
He said several trains, including the Karakoram Express, Millat Express and Awam Express, were in an ageing condition.
The minister also raised concerns about freight wagons, describing some as effectively unusable because of problems with their braking systems.
Abbasi said his ministry was working to address issues involving locomotives, passenger coaches and freight wagons, setting December 31 as the deadline for completing the planned work.
Asked whether he would resign following the derailment, the minister said the incident needed to be investigated first and those responsible would be held accountable.
He said the government was making efforts to prevent similar accidents.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He called for a transparent investigation to establish the cause of the derailment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the loss of life and directed the authorities to accelerate rescue and relief operations and ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.
Series of derailments raises safety concerns
Tuesday’s accident comes amid a series of railway incidents reported across Pakistan in recent months, raising questions about track maintenance, rolling stock and operational safety.
On October 1, the Shalimar Express and Pakistan Express reportedly narrowly escaped major accidents after derailments, while a separate incident involving the Jaffar Express was also reported near Gujar Khan.
Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Hafeezullah previously attributed recent accidents to inadequate maintenance over the preceding five years, while saying that maintenance measures had subsequently been undertaken.
Other incidents included the derailment of a coal train near Firoza Railway Station in August and accidents involving the Rawal Express, Hazara Express and Bulleh Shah Passenger train.
The Lahore-bound Tezgam also derailed between Hyderabad and Kotri on July 28, while the Shalimar Express derailed near Khanewal on July 5.
The repeated incidents have intensified scrutiny of railway infrastructure and the condition of locomotives, coaches and freight wagons.
The investigation into the Rehman Baba Express derailment is expected to establish the immediate cause of Tuesday’s accident and determine whether mechanical failure, track conditions, operational factors or other issues contributed to the incident.
