RAHIM YAR KHAN: Six passengers were injured when the locomotive and an economy class coach of Karakurram Express (41-Up), derailed near Khanpur railway station, some 46km from here, early on Monday.

According to railways sources, the Lahore-bound train’s locomotive and a coach derailed when it crossed Sahja station after 1:30am and passed through a signal point. Because of the coach derailment, six passengers who were sleeping on upper berths were injured.

Following the incident, the upward trains Tezgam, Greenline and Khyber Mail were halted at RY Khan, Sadiqabad and Ghotki stations, respectively. Similarly, downward trains Reman Baba Express, Akbar Bugti Express and Awam Express were stopped at Khanpur and Liaqatpur railway stations, respectively.

The rail traffic remained suspended for more than five hours and later rescue machinary from Sukkur reached the spot to clear the track.

RYK Station Master Maqbool Ahmed told Dawn that due to the accident 400-foot pieces were damaged on both tracks.

A PR technical team was repairing the tracks till the filing of this report.

However, the rail traffic was restored after five hours through the down track after its repairs, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2019