Pakistan Train Derailment: Six Killed, Several Injured in Pakistan’s Punjab as Rehman Baba Express Goes Off Track

At least six people were killed and several others injured after the Rehman Baba Express derailed in Pakistan’s Punjab province early Tuesday, October 13, prompting rescue operations and emergency medical assistance for the injured.

The passenger train was travelling from Karachi, in southern Pakistan, to Peshawar in the country’s northwest when it derailed in Sher Shah, according to the Associated Press, citing Pakistan Railways spokesperson Kaleem Akhtar.

Rescue Teams Rush to Accident Site

The derailment occurred at around 5.15 am, Geo News reported. The injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment, while rescue teams continued operations at the scene.

Authorities were working to assist those affected by the accident. Further details about the cause of the derailment were not immediately available.

Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister Express Grief

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences over the deaths in separate statements. Both leaders directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for those injured.

Pakistan’s Rail Safety Record Under Scrutiny

Train accidents remain a recurring concern in Pakistan, where the railway network has struggled with decades of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and outdated signalling systems.

In 2023, the derailment of 10 carriages of a passenger train in southern Pakistan killed 30 people and injured more than 90 others, highlighting persistent safety challenges across the country’s rail network.