Full Breakdown
Derailment of the Rehman Baba Express Near Multan
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Core Event: Train Derailment Near Multan
On October 13, 2026, the Rehman Baba Express derailed on the outskirts of Multan in Punjab’s Sher Shah Bridge area. Police and Pakistan Railways spokesman Kaleem Akhtar said the 14-coach passenger train was travelling from the southern port city of Karachi to the north-western city of Peshawar when it left the tracks at approximately 5:15 a.m. (0015 GMT). Rescue teams recovered all four bodies from the first four coaches and evacuated injured passengers from the remaining carriages.
Background & Context
Pakistan’s railway network has long suffered from chronic underinvestment, aging signalling systems and deteriorating track conditions. Analysts note that train accidents are “relatively common” in the country. A 2023 derailment of the Hazara Express in southern Sindh killed 30 people and injured more than 90, while a separate 2023 incident in southern Pakistan involved ten derailed cars and a similar death toll. These precedents underscore systemic safety challenges that persist across the network.
Data & Statistics
- Train: Rehman Baba Express
- Coaches: 14 total; 13 cleared, rescue work continued on the final carriage
- Location: Sher Shah Bridge, Multan, Punjab province
- Time: around 5:15 a.m. local time (0015 GMT)
- Casualties reported:
- abcnews – 5 deaths, 35 injured
- usnews – 4 deaths, 30 injured
- pajhwok – 6 deaths, 30 injured
- other outlets (e.g., independent, trtworld, theleader, unb) – 4 deaths, 30 injured or 5 deaths, 35 injured
- Medical care: Injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan; one victim died before transport.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the loss of life and urged authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed concern, directed swift rescue operations, and ordered local authorities to accelerate relief efforts and ensure immediate treatment for victims.
- Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi visited the site, expressed sorrow, and announced that compensation would be paid to families of the deceased and injured under the railway’s insurance policy.
On-the-Ground Reports
Rescue personnel from the provincial emergency service (Rescue 1122) recovered bodies and evacuated passengers from the derailed coaches. A passenger recounted that nuts and bolts on the ninth coach had been repaired in Rohri shortly before the accident, though officials have not confirmed this as a cause. Workers cleared 13 of the 14 coaches, while the final carriage remained under investigation. Local media reported that the injured were transferred to Nishtar Hospital for treatment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Casualty figures vary across outlets, with reported deaths ranging from 4 to 6 and injuries from 30 to 35. The discrepancy reflects differing early counts from police, railway officials and hospital staff.
- Cause of derailment remains undetermined; no official investigation findings have been released. The passenger’s claim about recent repairs on the ninth coach is unverified.
- Long-term response: While officials have pledged compensation and urged better medical care, no concrete plan for infrastructure upgrades or safety reforms has been announced.
The derailment adds to a pattern of railway accidents in Pakistan, highlighting ongoing safety vulnerabilities that authorities have yet to address comprehensively.