MULTAN, Pakistan — October 13, 2026: At least four passengers were killed and around 30 others injured after the Karachi-to-Peshawar Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Punjab’s Multan district early Tuesday, according to a Pakistan Railways spokesperson cited by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The spokesperson said 14 coaches went off the tracks, prompting a major rescue operation and disruption to train services.
The Rehman Baba Express derailment happened near the Sher Shah railway area, also described in other coverage as being close to Sher Shah Bridge. Injured passengers were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan, while Rescue 1122, railway officials and local administrators responded to the scene.
The incident is a developing story. APP and the Associated Press reported at least four deaths, while ARY News and The News subsequently published figures of five fatalities and some local reporting mentioned six. Accounts also differ over whether 14 or 15 coaches were derailed. Mukhbir is using the Pakistan Railways spokesperson’s 14-coach account and the independently supported minimum of four deaths until an updated consolidated official tally is available.
What Happened to the Rehman Baba Express?
The 47-Up Rehman Baba Express was travelling from Karachi toward Peshawar when its coaches left the track in the Sher Shah area of Multan. The train was carrying passengers on a major intercity route through Pakistan.
A passenger cited in media reports placed the derailment at approximately 5:15 a.m. The exact time has not been confirmed in a detailed final inquiry report, but multiple news outlets describe the incident as occurring early Tuesday morning.
Emergency crews arrived to assist passengers and remove people from affected coaches. Images carried by national news outlets showed extensive disruption around the train, while officials focused on casualty evacuation, medical treatment and securing the accident site.
The severity of the incident led senior provincial and federal authorities to direct emergency assistance. The immediate priority was to rescue passengers and provide treatment, not to draw conclusions about the cause before investigators had reviewed the evidence.
Four Deaths Confirmed in Initial Railway Account, Higher Totals Reported
APP’s October 13 account attributed to a Pakistan Railways spokesperson said four passengers had died and approximately 30 were injured. AP News also reported at least four deaths and 30 injuries.
Other outlets published higher figures as reporting developed. ARY News and The News reported five deaths, and UrduPoint cited six in a later update. These differences may reflect changing casualty information and differing publication times, but no single reconciled official list was included in the reports reviewed.
For accuracy, Mukhbir’s headline uses ‘at least four killed’ and the article makes the differing subsequent reports clear. The death toll should be updated promptly if Pakistan Railways, the health authorities or Rescue 1122 release an authoritative consolidated figure.
The names and individual medical conditions of victims should not be circulated unless verified through appropriate official records and reported respectfully.
How Many Coaches Derailed?
The Pakistan Railways spokesperson’s statement carried by APP said 14 coaches of the train derailed. The News also reported 14.
Geo News and Express Urdu described 15 coaches as derailed in some reports. It is possible that different reporting counted the train’s composition in different ways, but that explanation has not been established and should not be assumed as fact.
The safest supported reporting is that a large portion of the train, including 14 coaches according to the railway spokesperson, left the tracks.
A confirmed engineering assessment and train consist record would be needed to settle the count and describe the precise sequence of the derailment.
Rescue Operations and Injured Passengers
Rescue 1122 workers and other emergency services helped passengers leave the affected coaches and transported injured people for medical care. APP said a relief train and medical van were being dispatched from Multan to support the operation.
Geo News reported that injured passengers were shifted to Nishtar Hospital. Rescue personnel were still working through damaged carriages in early coverage, while local authorities coordinated access and medical support.
Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan instructed departments to speed up rescue work and provide appropriate treatment. APP reported that the district administration was also asked to arrange temporary accommodation and breakfast for affected passengers.
Details of the rescue effort evolved during the day. Statements that crews had cleared a particular number of coaches should be tied to the reporting time; the initial operation should not be described as permanently ongoing after official authorities declare it complete.
How Was Train Traffic Affected?
Pakistan Railways initially suspended train operations on both up and down tracks following the accident, according to APP. This disruption was necessary as emergency teams and railway staff reached the site and examined the damaged infrastructure.
Dawn later reported a statement indicating that train operations through Lodhran and Jahanian had been fully restored. That update does not necessarily mean the entire accident site and all affected tracks had reopened at the same moment.
Passengers planning journeys through Multan should follow current Pakistan Railways advisories for specific train services and routes rather than rely on an earlier blanket statement of suspension.
The railway’s work at the site may involve moving coaches, inspecting rails and signaling equipment and clearing the route before traffic can resume safely.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Orders Immediate Assistance
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the accident and directed relevant officials to speed up rescue and relief operations, APP and Radio Pakistan reported.
He instructed authorities to provide immediate and appropriate medical treatment to the injured. The government response emphasized care for affected travellers and support for emergency responders.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed concern over the tragedy and called for an inquiry, according to Radio Pakistan.
These official statements confirm government attention to the derailment, but they do not establish any technical cause or responsibility for the crash.
Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi Directs Investigation
Dawn reported that Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi took notice of the derailment, expressed condolences to bereaved families and instructed officials to ensure medical care for injured passengers.
He also directed the inspector of railways to investigate the incident and travelled toward the accident site to assess the situation. The minister said compensation would be paid to victims and families in accordance with Pakistan Railways’ insurance policy, according to the reported statement.
The existence of a compensation policy does not by itself establish the amount payable to each family. Actual eligibility and payments require details of the policy and claims process.
The investigation is expected to examine technical and operational evidence. Findings should be attributed to an official report when available, rather than inferred from photographs or witness accounts alone.
Was a Fault Reported in Coach Number Nine?
One passenger told reporters that workers had checked or repaired nuts and bolts on coach number nine near Rohri earlier in the journey. ARY News also carried reporting attributed to railway sources about a possible defect in the same coach.
This is an important allegation to investigate, but the reporting does not independently establish that the supposed defect existed at the time of the derailment, was left uncorrected or caused the accident.
A separate claim that the train was moving too fast has likewise not been confirmed as a finding of the official inquiry.
News coverage should not assign blame to a railway employee, maintenance team or driver without documentary and technical evidence. Investigators will need to determine whether any mechanical, track, operational or other factor contributed.
Why the Accident Raises Railway Safety Questions
A derailment involving multiple passenger coaches draws attention to inspection procedures, rolling-stock maintenance and emergency preparedness. These issues are legitimate subjects for public scrutiny, particularly when passengers have been killed or injured.
Pakistan has experienced other major railway accidents. The Associated Press noted the country’s long-standing challenges around railway infrastructure and past serious derailments.
However, general railway safety concerns do not prove what caused this particular accident. A proper inquiry must establish the specific evidence, sequence of events and safety measures relevant to the Rehman Baba Express.
Transparent publication of findings and any corrective actions would help the public distinguish a preventable technical failure from speculation.
What Affected Passengers and Families Should Know
Relatives seeking information should rely on verified hospital, railway and rescue-service announcements. Nishtar Hospital was identified as a key medical facility treating injured passengers.
Families should avoid treating unverified social-media lists of casualties as official confirmation. Personal details, especially photographs of seriously injured passengers, should not be shared unnecessarily.
Travellers whose tickets or onward connections may be affected should check railway service updates directly. Train timetables may change as recovery work and technical inspections proceed.
People with information relevant to the incident should provide it to appropriate investigators rather than presenting unverified explanations as established facts.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priorities are treatment of injured passengers, verified casualty accounting, assistance to affected families and restoration of safe railway operations.
A formal investigation should determine why the train derailed, whether earlier maintenance issues played any role and whether railway procedures require changes.
Follow-up coverage should also clarify the final number of derailed coaches, the certified death toll, the status of each affected railway section and any compensation arrangements officially announced.
As of the reporting reviewed on October 13, the most defensible account is that the Karachi-to-Peshawar Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah in Multan, killing at least four passengers and injuring around 30. The Pakistan Railways spokesperson reported 14 derailed coaches, and the cause remained under investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Rehman Baba Express derail?
Near Sher Shah Railway Station or Sher Shah Bridge in Multan district, Punjab, Pakistan.
Where was the train travelling?
The 47-Up Rehman Baba Express was travelling from Karachi toward Peshawar.
How many people were killed?
APP and AP News reported at least four deaths. Some other outlets reported five or six, so the official consolidated toll should be checked for updates.
How many passengers were injured?
Approximately 30 people were reported injured in the early major-source coverage.
How many coaches derailed?
A Pakistan Railways spokesperson reported 14 coaches, although some other media reports cited 15.
Which hospital received injured passengers?
Nishtar Hospital in Multan was identified in national reporting as treating the injured.
What caused the derailment?
The cause had not been officially established in the reporting reviewed. Claims about coach number nine and train speed remain unverified.
What action did the government announce?
The prime minister called for accelerated rescue and medical assistance, while the railway minister directed an investigation and referred to compensation under the railway insurance policy.
About The Author
