At least four people were killed and 41 injured, including 13 minors, after the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Multan on Tuesday. Here’s what’s known so far.
What Happened
The Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station on the outskirts of Multan, Punjab, on Tuesday morning. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and the Multan divisional superintendent confirmed four deaths, though an earlier statement from a Pakistan Railways spokesperson had put the toll at five — Abbasi said he could not confirm that fifth death. Of the 41 people injured, at least 13 were minors. Three people were treated and discharged, while 38 were referred to Multan’s Nishtar Hospital for further care.
What the Driver Said
Train driver Rizwan Abbas said the train was travelling at 100 km/h with a clear signal when he “suddenly felt a push” near the Sher Shah station area. He applied the brakes immediately and brought the train to a stop, and maintained that the train itself was in working order. The exact cause of the derailment has not yet been determined.
The Response So Far
- Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi visited the site to assess the situation and review rescue operations.
- A replacement train carrying more than 500 passengers was dispatched from Sher Shah station.
- The Multan district administration arranged buses for passengers continuing their journey by road.
- Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan met affected passengers and directed authorities to provide temporary accommodation, transport, breakfast, and medical care.
- Pakistan Railways set up round-the-clock help desks at major stations, with divisional commercial officers told to arrange alternative travel and process refunds where needed.
- Train operations via the Lodhran and Jahanian routes have been fully restored.
Abbasi expressed grief over the deaths and said compensation would be paid to the families of the deceased and to the injured under Pakistan Railways’ insurance policy. He also ordered that the injured receive the best possible medical care. The federal government inspector of railways (FGIR) has been appointed as the inquiry officer to investigate the incident.
Part of a Troubling Pattern
This derailment adds to a series of similar incidents over the past year, including one on October 1 and several others in July and August. Following the October 1 incident, Pakistan Railways CEO Hafeezullah attributed the pattern to a lack of maintenance over the preceding five years, while saying maintenance efforts were underway to address the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were killed in the derailment?
At least four, according to the railways minister and the Multan divisional superintendent, though an earlier report cited five.
What caused the derailment?
The exact cause hasn’t been determined yet. The driver said he felt a sudden push while travelling at 100 km/h with a clear signal, and an inquiry has been ordered.
Were children among the injured?
Yes, at least 13 of the 41 injured were minors.
Will affected passengers be compensated?
Yes. The railways minister said compensation would be paid to the families of the deceased and to injured passengers under Pakistan Railways’ insurance policy.
With an inquiry now underway and this marking yet another derailment in a year that’s already seen several similar incidents, pressure is likely to grow on Pakistan Railways to show concrete progress on the maintenance issues officials have previously acknowledged.
