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At Least Five Killed as Rehman Baba Express Derails Near Multan
The Rehman Baba Express derailment killed at least five people and injured more than 30 near Multan early on Tuesday, when all 14 coaches of the Peshawar-bound train left the tracks near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan district, Punjab.
The accident occurred at around 5:15am, according to passengers at the scene. The train was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar with more than 500 passengers on board when it derailed. Railway officials suspended traffic on both the up and down tracks, and a relief train was dispatched to clear the site.
Rehman Baba Express derailment: what happened at Sher Shah Bridge
Rescue teams rushed to the site within minutes and began pulling passengers from the wrecked coaches. Officials said 13 of the 14 coaches had been cleared by mid-morning, while rescue work continued in the remaining coach.
The injured were shifted to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment. Several passengers were seen sitting alongside the railway tracks with their belongings as emergency operations continued through the morning.
Death toll still being confirmed
The exact death toll remained unclear on Tuesday morning, with officials giving figures that ranged from four to six. Police and Pakistan Railways spokesman Kaleem Akhtar were cited as confirming four deaths and 30 injuries, while other outlets reported at least five dead. Dawn reported at least four killed and more than 40 injured.
Rescue officials cautioned that the toll could change as the final coach was cleared and hospitals completed their accounting. Further details about the condition of the injured were still awaited.
PM and President take notice, inquiry ordered
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and expressed concern for the passengers. He directed the relevant authorities to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure that the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.
President Asif Ali Zardari also took notice of the accident, and an immediate inquiry into the derailment was ordered. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi took notice as well and departed for the accident site to assess the situation and review the rescue operation.
The unanswered question: what happened to coach 9
One detail from the morning’s reporting may shape the inquiry. A passenger told reporters that workers had repaired the nuts and bolts of coach number nine near Rohri before the accident. Railway sources also indicated that the coach had developed a fault and was inspected after the train was stopped near Rohri.
That claim has not been independently verified, and no confirmed link has been established between the reported repair and the derailment. The cause of the accident has not yet been officially established, and investigators will need to determine why all 14 coaches left the tracks.
A familiar tragedy: Pakistan’s rail safety record
The derailment has renewed concerns about railway safety and maintenance in Pakistan, where major train accidents have caused significant casualties in the past. In August 2023, the Hazara Express derailed near Nawabshah in Sindh, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 100.
Each major accident brings the same questions about track maintenance and inspection routines. This one adds a sharper version of that question: a coach was reportedly repaired hours before the crash, yet the train was allowed to continue. Whether that repair had anything to do with the derailment is now the central question of the inquiry.
Deadly transport accidents remain a recurring tragedy in Pakistan, from the Mach bridge collision in Kachhi that killed seven people to the army training aircraft crash near Quetta that killed two pilots — each followed by an inquiry whose findings the public rarely sees. The families of Tuesday’s victims, and the four youths killed in the Hajira landmine explosion, share the same wait for answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Rehman Baba Express derail?
The derailment occurred at around 5:15am on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan district, Punjab. The train was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar.
How many coaches derailed?
All 14 coaches of the train left the tracks, according to police and rescue officials. Rescue teams cleared 13 coaches by mid-morning, with work continuing in the last one.
How many people were killed and injured?
At least five people were killed and more than 30 injured, though officials gave figures ranging from four to six dead on Tuesday morning. The injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan.
What caused the derailment?
The cause has not been officially established. A passenger claimed that coach number nine had nuts and bolts repaired near Rohri before the crash, but that has not been independently verified. An inquiry has been ordered.
