The death toll from the Rehman Baba Express derailment near Multan has risen to seven, with at least 40 passengers injured, police and rescue officials said on Tuesday, as an initial report pointed to a fault in one of the train’s coaches.
The 47-Up Rehman Baba Express, travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, came off the tracks near Sher Shah Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday, with all 14 coaches derailing. Rescue teams worked through the day at the site, clearing 13 coaches while the injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi travelled to the accident site to review the rescue and relief work. He announced that compensation would be paid to the families of those killed and to the injured in line with the Pakistan Railways insurance policy. Train operations through Lodhran and Jahanian were fully restored after the wreckage was cleared, officials said.
An initial investigation report by Pakistan Railways suggested that the derailment was likely caused by a fault in a passenger coach, though the final cause has yet to be officially established. The minister has appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways as the inquiry officer to probe the accident in detail.
The train’s driver, Rizwan Abbas, told reporters that the express was running at about 100 kilometres per hour with a clear signal when he felt a sudden jolt near the Sher Shah station area. He said he applied the brakes and brought the train to a halt, adding that it had been functioning normally before the derailment.
Casualty figures varied through the day as rescue work continued, with railways officials initially confirming four deaths while hospital counts pointed to a higher toll. The latest figures from police and rescue services stand at seven dead and 40 injured.
This is a developing story. Read our earlier report on the accident for full background.
