Six Bogies Leave Track, Three Overturn; Rescue Response Faces Criticism
SHEIKHUPURA: At least 25 passengers were injured on Friday after six bogies of the Islamabad Express derailed near Kala Shah Kaku, between Sheikhupura and Muridke. The train, which was en route from Lahore to Islamabad, derailed near the Nullah Dek area, leading to a chaotic scene as three bogies overturned and passengers scrambled for safety.
Rescue officials confirmed that six bogies went off the tracks, with three tipping over completely due to the impact. Initial reports indicated widespread panic, with injured and disoriented passengers seen helping one another escape the wreckage before emergency responders arrived.
Rescue 1122 teams, along with police and local authorities, eventually reached the site and began a coordinated relief and rescue operation. Six rescue vehicles were dispatched to the location, and medical assistance was provided on-site to the injured. Critically wounded passengers were transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment. No fatalities have been reported so far.
Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Delays in Emergency Response
Eyewitnesses expressed frustration over delays in the rescue operation. Passengers and bystanders reported that no rescue teams were present in the immediate aftermath of the derailment. Many of the injured had to be pulled out of the overturned compartments by fellow travellers, often without proper medical support.
“We had no choice but to act on our own,” said one passenger. “People were bleeding, crying, and trapped. We started pulling them out before anyone else came.”
The derailment occurred near Nullah Dek, a canal running adjacent to the railway line. According to railway sources, the train was traveling at a speed of 105 km/h when the accident occurred. Preliminary findings indicate damage to the railway track, as broken pieces of metal were discovered at the scene.
Relief and medical trains were dispatched from Lahore to assist with the situation, officials added.
Minister Orders Inquiry, Seeks Full Report in Seven Days
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi took immediate notice of the derailment and instructed senior railway officials — including the CEO and divisional superintendent — to reach the site without delay. He also directed railway staff to expedite rescue operations and ensure medical assistance was provided to all injured passengers.
Abbasi announced that a formal inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the derailment. He has ordered a detailed report to be submitted within seven days.
Railway officials have begun collecting data and eyewitness statements to assess whether the accident was due to mechanical failure, human error, or track-related issues. The Islamabad Express service has been temporarily suspended on the affected route until further notice.
