Karachi-bound train derails near Lodhran, several injured: official

LAHORE: Several passengers were injured after a Karachi-bound train went off the tracks near Lodhran in Punjab late Tuesday night, according to officials.

District Emergency Officer Engineer Shakeel Ahmed said that initial reports confirmed 17 injured individuals were treated on-site, while eight others were shifted to the district headquarters hospital for further medical care.

A spokesperson for Pakistan Railways, Babar Ali, stated that no fatalities had been reported so far. He added that the exact cause of the حادثہ (accident) is still unknown and will be determined after a detailed investigation.

Following the incident, the federal minister for railways ordered a high-level inquiry to assess the reasons behind the derailment. Authorities also assured that efforts were underway to restore the affected railway track as soon as possible.

Rescue teams, including Rescue 1122 and railway medical staff, reached the site promptly and carried out relief operations. A special relief train and emergency support vehicles were also dispatched to assist passengers.

The train involved in the incident has been identified as the Tezgam Express, though further details are still emerging. The train’s driver, Tariq Khan, said he was unable to explain what led to the derailment.

This accident comes shortly after another railway incident involving the Shalimar Express, which collided with a goods train at Lakha Road Railway Station in Sindh’s Naushahro Feroze district about 10 days earlier, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

Authorities are continuing investigations as more information becomes available.