Rehman Baba Express derails near Multan: at least five killed, around 30 injured as all coaches leave the track

Key takeaways

• The Rehman Baba Express, travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, derailed near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan at around 5:15am on Tuesday, 13 October.
• Police and rescue officials quoted by Geo News and ARY News say at least five passengers were killed and around 30 injured. Some early reports put the toll at four.
• Reports say all of the train's coaches came off the track (outlets give the number as 14 or 15).
• The injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Rescue officials said 13 coaches had been cleared while work continued in one more.
• PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari took notice; state broadcaster Radio Pakistan says they directed an immediate inquiry. The cause has not been officially established.

What happened

The overnight passenger service was near the outer signal of Sher Shah railway station, on the edge of Multan, when the derailment happened shortly after 5am, according to a passenger quoted by several outlets. Radio Pakistan said several coaches derailed and overturned. Video shared by local media showed passengers sitting beside the tracks with their luggage while rescue work went on.

Rescue teams and police moved the injured to Nishtar Hospital. ARY News reported that several of the injured were in critical condition, so the death toll could still rise.

Casualty figures so far

We are using the higher, officially attributed figure of at least five dead. No final list of victims has been released.

What is not yet confirmed

• The cause. Officials have not said why the train left the track.
• Speed. Some sources told Express News the train was moving fast; this has not been confirmed by Pakistan Railways.
• A claimed repair. One passenger told reporters that nuts and bolts on coach number nine were fixed near Rohri earlier in the journey. Geo and Dunya both note the claim has not been independently verified, and it is not clear whether it has anything to do with the accident.

What the government has said

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of life and told authorities to speed up rescue work and make sure the injured get the best possible treatment without delay. Radio Pakistan reported that both he and President Zardari had ordered an immediate inquiry.

Background: railway safety

Derailments remain a recurring problem on Pakistan's ageing network. In August 2023, the Hazara Express derailed near Nawabshah in Sindh, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 100. ARY News also reported a separate derailment of a coal-carrying freight train on a loop line near Jungshahi in Thatta district, with no casualties.

What to watch

• An updated casualty figure from rescue officials and Nishtar Hospital.
• The preliminary findings of the inquiry, and whether Pakistan Railways names a cause (track, coach or speed).
• Disruption to train services on the main Karachi–Peshawar line while the track near Sher Shah is cleared.

This is a developing story and will be updated as officials release more information.