Lahore, October 13, 2026 (Ghufran): At least four passengers were killed and 41 others injured when the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan district on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi confirmed the deaths of four passengers and appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) to investigate the incident. The minister said the inquiry would determine the circumstances surrounding the derailment, while Pakistan Railways officials reported that 41 passengers had been injured, including at least 13 minors. Three injured passengers were discharged from hospital, while 38 were referred to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment. Train driver Rizwan Abbas told Dawn that the train was travelling at approximately 100 kilometres per hour when he suddenly felt a jolt while passing through the Sher Shah station area. He said he immediately applied the brakes and brought the train to a stop, only to discover that several passenger coaches had derailed. The driver maintained that the train was in working condition and said the signal was clear at the time of the incident. Minister Hanif Abbasi expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the authorities to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured and announced that compensation would be paid to the deceased passengers and the injured in accordance with Pakistan Railways’ insurance policy. The minister also proceeded to the accident site to review the situation and rescue operations. Meanwhile, a replacement train carrying more than 500 passengers departed from Sher Shah Railway Station, while buses were arranged in coordination with the Multan district administration for passengers wishing to continue their journeys by road. Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan met the affected passengers and their families and directed officials to arrange temporary accommodation, transportation, breakfast and immediate medical assistance.
Pakistan Railways also established round-the-clock information and help desks at major stations and instructed divisional commercial officers to arrange alternative travel options and ticket refunds where necessary. Railway authorities confirmed that train operations through Lodhran and Jahanian had been fully restored. The accident has once again raised concerns about railway safety and maintenance, following several derailments and operational incidents across the country in recent months. On October 1, the Shalimar Express and Pakistan Express narrowly escaped major accidents after derailments, while another minor incident involving the Jaffar Express was reported near Gujar Khan. Other incidents involving passenger and freight trains were reported in July and August, including derailments of the Hazara Express, Bulleh Shah Passenger, Tezgam, Shalimar Express and Rawal Express. Pakistan Railways’ chief executive officer had previously attributed some recent accidents to inadequate maintenance over the preceding five years, highlighting the need for improved track inspections, timely repairs and stronger safety measures to prevent further tragedies.