At least five people have died and around 30 others were injured after the Rehman Baba Express derailed near Multan. Several of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could climb.
A passenger placed the time of the accident at around 5:15am. Reports say all coaches of the train left the rails near the outer signal of Sher Shah Railway Station. The cause has not yet been officially determined.
Prime Minister orders rescue and medical care
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the crash. He instructed the authorities to speed up rescue work and make sure the injured receive the best available treatment without delay.
Separate coal freight derailment near Jungshahi
Earlier, a freight train carrying coal went off the loop line near Jungshahi railway station, damaging hundreds of metres of track. Railway officials said the goods train was running on the loop line and was headed for Hyderabad when the incident took place. No deaths were reported in that derailment, officials said, though they warned it could disrupt traffic on the route.
Railway staff have begun relief operations to clear the track.
