Passenger Train Derails in Pakistan, Killing 5 and Injuring More Than 30

A passenger train traveling across Pakistan derailed early Tuesday, October 13, leaving at least five people dead and dozens more injured in a major railway accident.

The train, traveling from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed near Sher Shah in Punjab province at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time. According to reports, the train had 14 carriages, and the accident prompted an urgent response from rescue teams and emergency personnel.

Rescuers recovered four bodies at the scene and evacuated injured passengers from the train. One additional victim died before reaching a hospital. Reports placed the number of injured at more than 30, with some accounts reporting 35 people hurt.

Images and video from the scene showed train carriages displaced across the tracks as passengers made their way out and emergency workers assisted those who needed help. Injured passengers were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Pakistan Railways confirmed that an investigation was underway to determine what caused the derailment. Officials cautioned that the exact cause could not be established until the investigation was complete.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed authorities to ensure that injured passengers received prompt medical attention.

The accident has renewed concerns about railway safety in Pakistan, where previous derailments have also resulted in significant loss of life. Investigators will now work to establish what went wrong and whether any technical or operational problems contributed to the disaster.

Source: PEOPLE