A passenger train traveling from Lahore to Rawalpindi derailed Friday evening near Kala Shah Kaku in Sheikhupura, roughly 50 kilometers outside Lahore, injuring at least 30 people, according to Pakistan Railways.
The Islamabad Express, which had departed Lahore just 30 minutes earlier, suffered a major disruption when 10 of its coaches went off the tracks. Officials confirmed that three of the injured are in critical condition and receiving emergency treatment at a nearby hospital.
Rescue teams responded promptly, evacuating passengers and assisting those trapped in the wreckage. Recovery operations continued late into the night, with authorities working to ensure no one remains stuck inside the derailed compartments.
As of now, no fatalities have been reported.
Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has ordered a formal investigation into the incident. He instructed senior railway officials, including the CEO and the divisional superintendent, to immediately visit the scene and oversee the situation. The minister has also demanded a detailed report within a week to determine the cause of the derailment.
While the exact reason behind the derailment remains unclear, the frequency of such accidents has once again raised concerns about the safety and maintenance standards of Pakistan’s aging railway infrastructure.