At least 26 passengers were injured after multiple bogies of a passenger train derailed in Pakistan’s Punjab province, triggering panic among travellers and prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

The incident occurred when the Karachi-bound Tezgam Express derailed near Adam Wahan Railway Station in the Bahawalpur-Lodhran section. Several coaches went off the tracks, with some overturning, leaving passengers trapped inside damaged compartments.

Several bogies overturned during mishap

According to initial reports, as many as seven coaches of the train derailed, out of which five overturned completely due to the impact. The train was travelling from Lahore to Karachi at the time of the accident.

The derailment caused significant disruption on the route, with railway tracks blocked and train services temporarily affected. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as passengers scrambled to escape the damaged bogies.

Rescue teams rush to the spot

Rescue teams, including local administration officials and emergency responders, rushed to the site immediately after the incident. Personnel from Rescue 1122 and railway authorities carried out evacuation operations, pulling out passengers trapped inside overturned coaches.

The injured were provided first aid at the site, while those with more serious injuries were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities confirmed that at least one passenger was critically injured, though no fatalities were reported.

Medical aid and relief operations

Officials stated that nine injured passengers were hospitalised, while others received on-site medical assistance. Emergency measures were quickly put in place to ensure timely treatment and prevent further casualties.

Railway and district authorities continued relief operations late into the night, ensuring that all passengers were safely evacuated from the affected coaches.

Cause of derailment under investigation

The exact cause of the derailment is yet to be determined. Pakistan Railways officials have said that an inquiry will be conducted to ascertain whether the accident was caused by technical faults, track issues, or human error.

Train accidents are not uncommon in Pakistan, where aging railway infrastructure, outdated signalling systems, and maintenance challenges have often been cited as contributing factors in past incidents.

Rail traffic affected, restoration underway

Following the accident, rail traffic on the affected section was disrupted, with authorities working to clear the tracks and restore normal services. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove the derailed coaches and repair damaged tracks.

Officials assured that services would resume only after ensuring full safety compliance to avoid any further mishaps.

No loss of life reported

Despite the severity of the derailment and multiple coaches overturning, authorities confirmed that there were no fatalities in the incident. The focus remains on providing medical care to the injured and completing the investigation into the cause of the accident.

The incident has once again raised concerns about railway safety standards in Pakistan, highlighting the need for urgent upgrades and improved maintenance of rail infrastructure.