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New Delhi: A passenger train suffered a significant derailment near Lahore on Friday evening, resulting in injuries to at least 30 individuals, with three reported to be in critical condition. The incident involved multiple coaches of the Islamabad Express, which was traveling from Lahore to Rawalpindi when it went off the tracks at Kala Shah Kaku in the Sheikhupura district, approximately 50 kilometers from Lahore.
According to Pakistan Railways, the accident occurred about 30 minutes after the train's departure from Lahore Railway Station. Ten coaches of the Islamabad Express were affected. "At least 30 passengers were injured, and three are in critical condition," the railway authority stated in a late Friday night release. Emergency response teams were promptly dispatched and commenced relief efforts at the site.
Rescue personnel worked through the night to free passengers trapped in the derailed carriages. Many of the injured received immediate first aid at the scene, while those with severe injuries were transported to nearby hospitals. Efforts continue to clear the track and assist any remaining passengers. No fatalities have been confirmed at this time.
Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi promptly addressed the derailment, directing senior officials, including the Railways CEO and divisional superintendent, to the accident location to supervise operations. He also ordered a formal inquiry into the cause of the derailment, expecting a comprehensive report within seven days. Minister Abbasi stressed the critical need for passenger safety and improvements to railway infrastructure to avert future incidents, promising strict action against any negligence.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his deep regret over the incident, extending his well wishes for the injured passengers' recovery. He mandated authorities to accelerate rescue and relief operations and guarantee that the injured receive prompt and appropriate medical care.
Local media reported that emergency teams acted with urgency, successfully rescuing over 1,000 passengers from the overturned coaches. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove wreckage from the tracks, and medical teams provided on-site care and assessed injuries.
This event underscores ongoing concerns about railway safety in Pakistan, where aging infrastructure and maintenance challenges have contributed to numerous train accidents in recent years. The findings of the upcoming inquiry are anticipated to shed light on the causes and guide necessary corrective actions.
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