A passenger train travelling from Karachi to Peshawar derailed in Sher Shah city in Punjab province early on Tuesday, killing at least four people and injuring 30 others, according to police and a spokesperson for Pakistan Railways.
Railway spokesperson Kaleem Akhtar said the train was en route from the southern port city of Karachi to Peshawar in the northwest when it derailed in Sher Shah. Rescuers recovered all four bodies and evacuated the injured from the train's 14 carriages.
Injured taken to hospital
The injured passengers were transported to hospital for treatment, with emergency services and paramedics swiftly dispatched to the scene. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both expressed their sorrow in separate statements, urging authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
History of rail accidents
Train accidents are sadly not uncommon in Pakistan, where the rail network has been plagued by years of underinvestment, outdated track infrastructure and antiquated signalling systems. In 2023, a passenger train derailment in southern Pakistan resulted in 30 deaths and over 90 injuries.
