14 Coaches of Rahman Baba Express Derail in Multan
A train accident occurred near Sher Shah Station in Multan, Pakistan, on Tuesday (13/10/2026) morning local time. Fourteen coaches of the Rahman Baba Express serving the Karachi–Peshawar route derailed and overturned at around 5:15 a.m.
At least five people were reported killed and more than 30 others injured in the incident. Video footage from the scene showed destroyed coaches and local residents gathered at the site, while cranes worked to lift the wreckage.
The Rahman Baba Express is a daily Pakistan Railways service between Karachi and Peshawar carrying more than 500 passengers. Rescue teams were immediately deployed, while the injured were moved to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment. Rail traffic on both departure and arrival lines was halted during the response.
Driver's Account: Signal Clear, Sudden Jolt
The train's driver, Rizwan Abbas, recounted the moments of the accident to Pakistani media. He said the train was traveling at about 100 kilometers per hour and the signal showed safe conditions as it passed through the Sher Shah Station area.
"When I got out of the locomotive and looked back, I saw the passenger coaches had derailed and were lying off the tracks. It was horrible," Abbas said, as quoted by the daily Dawn. He said he felt a sudden strong jolt before applying the brakes and bringing the locomotive to a stop.
One passenger claimed railway workers had repaired nuts and bolts on coach number 9 near Rohri before the accident. The claim has not been independently verified, and no link has been confirmed between that repair and the derailment.
Pakistan Government Forms Investigation Team
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed condolences over the loss of life and asked authorities to speed up rescue operations and ensure the best medical care for the injured. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed sympathy to the victims' families and demanded a transparent investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) as the investigating officer for the incident. Abbasi, who visited the accident site, also promised compensation for the victims and their families under the Pakistan Railways insurance policy.
Aging Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
The accident occurred amid challenges facing Pakistan's railway sector, including aging infrastructure. Train accidents are frequent in Pakistan, which inherited thousands of kilometers of railways and trains from the British colonial era, but the network has declined over decades due to corruption, mismanagement, and lack of investment.
According to local media, railway authorities later announced that train operations through Lodhran and Jahanian had been fully restored. The Multan district administration was also tasked with providing temporary accommodation and meals for passengers affected by the accident.
