LAHORE: At least four people were killed and more than 30 injured when the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan district on Tuesday.

A Pakistan Railways spokesperson confirmed the casualty toll to Dawn. Earlier, Rescue 1122 official Muhammad Arshad told Dawn that 49 people had been injured in the incident and that a rescue operation was underway.

Speaking to Dawn, train driver Rizwan Abbas said the train was travelling at 100 kilometres per hour. “The signal was clear, and as I was passing through the Sher Shah station area, I suddenly felt a push,” he said.

He said he applied the brakes and managed to bring the train to a stop. “When I got out of the locomotive and looked back, I saw that the passenger coaches had derailed and were lying off the tracks. It was horrible,” he said.

Abbas maintained that the train was in working order.

Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi took notice of the accident and expressed grief over the loss of life, saying he shared the sorrow of the bereaved families, according to an official statement.

He directed the authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured passengers and said compensation would be paid to the deceased and injured in accordance with the Pakistan Railways insurance policy, as per the statement.

The minister departed for the accident site to assess the situation and review the rescue operations. He also directed the inspector of railways to investigate the incident.

Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan also met the affected passengers and their families and assured them of all possible assistance.

He directed the authorities to arrange temporary accommodation, transport and breakfast for the passengers, and ensure the provision of immediate assistance and medical facilities to those affected by the accident.

Meanwhile, train operations via Lodhran and Jahanian have been fully restored, according to the statement.

Pakistan Railways set up round-the-clock information and help desks at all major stations to guide and assist passengers following the accident. Divisional Commercial Officers (DCOs) were also directed to arrange alternative travel options and ensure ticket refunds wherever necessary.

A replacement train for the Rehman Baba Express, carrying more than 500 passengers, has departed from Sher Shah Railway Station, according to a statement. Buses have also been arranged in coordination with the Multan district administration for passengers wishing to continue their journeys by road.

The statement added that all field formations of the Commercial Department were on high alert to facilitate passengers.

There have been a series of train derailment incidents over the past year, raising concerns over possible negligence and deep-rooted issues of Pakistan Railways (PR) over maintenance of trains and tracks across the country.

On October 1, two passenger trains, Shalimar Express and Pakistan Express, narrowly escaped major accidents after derailing, while a third minor accident also occurred on Jaffar Express on the track near Gujar Khan.

At the time, PR Chief Executive Officer Hafeezullah said the accidents happened due to a lack of maintenance in the last five years, while claiming that a series of maintenance measures had been undertaken.

In August, the Yousafwala coal train derailed near Firoza Railway Station (between Khanpur and Liaqatpur) after it ran into the sand hump on the loopline, apparently due to weak brakes or the driver not applying the brakes in time.

The same day, a passenger train (Rawal Express) derailed near Kala Gujran in Jhelum district on the Main Line-1 (Lahore-Rawalpindi track), disrupting railway operations.

On Aug 4, the Havailian-bound Hazara Express also met with an accident when its driver reportedly overshot and hit the sand hump, causing loss of rolling stock and other infrastructure. Similarly, Aug 5 saw another derailment as the Bulleh Shah Passenger train derailed.

On July 28, the Lahore-bound Tezgam derailed between Hyderabad-Kotri sections while on the same day, Thal Express’s engine broke down near Muzaffargarh.

On July 5, the Karachi-bound Shalimar Express had derailed near Khanewal. A Bulleh Shah passenger coach derailed in Lahore on July 20, while July 22 saw another major derailment when Hazara Express’ four passenger coaches derailed near the Karachi Cantt Railway station.