When ten bogies of the Hazara Express traveling from Karachi to Rawalpindi derailed at Nawab Shah, at least 20 persons were killed and over 100 were injured.
According to railway officials, the unfortunate occurrence occurred near Sahara Railway Station, which is located between Shahzadpur and Nawabshah, while the Hazara Express was en route from Karachi.
The catastrophe caused ten bogies to derail, causing panic and injury among the passengers on board.
The traffic on the up track, however, has been halted.
The injured and bodies are being sent to Nawabshah’s People’s Medical Hospital.
Shehryar Gul Memon, DC Nawabshah, said an emergency has been issued in surrounding hospitals, and a rescue operation is also underway. He went on to say that ambulances and rescue personnel had been dispatched to the scene to prepare for the relief effort.
The cause of the derailment remains unknown as officials arrive on the scene to investigate.
Meanwhile, paramilitary forces have headed for the scene on the orders of DG Rangers Sindh, Major General Azhar Waqas, to assist the civil government in the rescue and relief effort.
In a press conference, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique stated that, according to first reports, the train was going at a regular speed.
He stated that sabotage and a mechanical failure’ in the big train accident cannot be ruled out.