RAHIM YAR KHAN: Rail traffic came to a standstill after 6pm on both up and down tracks on Tuesday when some wagons of a down goods train derailed between Dera Nawab Sahib and Kulab railway stations on Tuesday evening in Rahim Yar Khan.

According to Pakistan Railways Samasata Head Train Examiner (HTE) Muhammad Shahid, the Karachi-bound down goods train - Yousufwala 9041 - traveling from Kulab railway station to Dera Nawab Sahib railway station, derailed while crossing over from single line working to the down line.

The derailment occurred when a wagon separated during the crossover. As a result, five different up and down trains were halted at various railway stations since rail traffic was suspended on both main tracks. The 27-Up Shalimar Express was stopped at Khanpur railway station, 11-Up Hazara Express at Rahim Yar Khan, 13-Up Awap Express at Sadiqabad, and 38-Down Fareed Express were halted at Dera Nawab Sahib railway stations.

Pakistan Railways Multan division Carriage Wagon Inspector Mahar Shauket informed Dawn that relief activities to remove the goods train from the main railway track have commenced. A rescue train was reported to start restoration work soon. The first priority is to clear the main track and depart all passenger trains to their destinations as quickly as possible, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2024