The Rehman Baba Express, travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed in Pakistan's Punjab province on Tuesday morning, leaving 6 people dead and 30 injured, according to the main casualty update.
The train left the track at about morning 5:15 in the Sher Shah area. Rescue officials said 13 coaches had been removed from the accident site as operations continued.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the injured passengers and directed the relevant authorities to speed up the rescue response. He also instructed officials to ensure that injured passengers received the best possible treatment without delay.
The official cause of the derailment had not been established in the available information. Pakistan Railways and other officials may provide further details as the rescue operation progresses.
Rail safety record in focus
The derailment comes against a long record of serious railway accidents in Pakistan. Reports cited in the coverage said the country recorded more than 500 rail accidents over the previous 5 years.
A June 2024 report by Pakistan's state news agency, the Associated Press of Pakistan, recorded 537 rail accidents between 2019 and 2023. It said 313 of those incidents involved deaths or serious injuries.
Earlier accidents listed in the report include a collision involving three passenger trains on 13 July 2005. At least 130 people died and about 170 were injured.
On 19 December 2007, 16 coaches of the Karachi Express derailed. The accident killed 50 people and injured more than 200.
The Akbar Express, travelling towards Quetta, collided with a freight train on 11 July 2019. At least 21 people died and 85 were injured. An initial report attributed the incident to a delay in changing the train track.
On 31 October 2019, fire broke out in three coaches of the Tezgam Express. The incident killed 74 people and injured more than 40. Officials said the fire began after a gas cylinder used by passengers for cooking exploded.
The Pakistan Express, travelling from Karachi, collided with a bus on 28 February 2020. At least 19 people died and more than 30 were injured.
Two passenger trains collided on 7 June 2021, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 100.
The report described Pakistan's railway system as facing problems linked to poor infrastructure, ageing tracks and signalling systems. Those details provide background to the country's history of major rail accidents, but no official cause had been given for the Rehman Baba Express derailment.
Rescue response and next update
The immediate response focused on removing coaches from the site, assisting passengers and treating those who were injured. The prime minister's instructions placed speedier rescue work and prompt medical care among the stated priorities.
Further information from Pakistan Railways and other officials could clarify the cause of the derailment and provide additional details about the operation. The available report did not establish whether the casualty figures would change.
Conclusion
The Rehman Baba Express derailment in Punjab left 6 people dead and 30 injured, while rescue teams removed 13 coaches from the site. The cause remained officially unknown, and authorities were directed to accelerate rescue work and medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which train derailed?
The Rehman Baba Express derailed while travelling from Karachi to Peshawar.
Q. Where did the derailment occur?
The train derailed in the Sher Shah area of Pakistan's Punjab province.
Q. How many people were reported dead and injured?
The main report said 6 people died and 30 were injured.
Q. What action did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif order?
He directed officials to speed up the rescue operation and provide prompt, high-quality treatment to injured passengers.
Q. Was the cause of the derailment known?
No official cause had been provided in the available information.
