The Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Multan, Pakistan, in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, killing at least five passengers and injuring more than 30, emergency officials said — the country's latest deadly rail disaster.
All 14 Coaches Left the Rails Near Sher Shah
All 14 coaches of the Rehman Baba Express (train 47-Up) derailed near Sher Shah Bridge, close to Sher Shah Railway Station on the outskirts of Multan, Punjab, at around 5:15 am local time, railway spokesman Kaleem Akhtar told reporters. The train was traveling from Karachi to Peshawar with roughly 500 passengers on board.
Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the scene and pulled survivors from overturned coaches. The injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan. Some Pakistani outlets later reported the death toll could be as high as seven, with up to 40 injured — figures officials say are still being confirmed.
Rail traffic on the busy up-and-down tracks was suspended after the crash and later restored via alternate routes through Lodhran and Jahanian.
Cause Still Unknown, Inquiry Ordered
No official cause has been established. Loco pilot Rizwan Abbas said the train was running at about 100 kilometers per hour when he felt a sudden jolt near Sher Shah and applied the emergency brakes.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi appointed the Federal Government Inspector of Railways to lead a formal inquiry, scheduled for October 17–18. One passenger claimed that nuts and bolts on coach 9 had been repaired near Rohri, but that claim has not been confirmed by investigators.
Response and Compensation
Rescue 1122 teams, a Pakistan Army relief contingent, and a relief train with a medical van from Multan responded to the site. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and ordered the best possible medical care for the injured. Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan visited the site. Pakistan Railways announced compensation for the victims under its insurance policy.
A Pattern Pakistan Cannot Ignore
The crash follows a grim pattern. The Awam Express derailed near Lodhran in August 2026, killing one person and injuring 24. In August 2023, the Hazara Express derailment near Nawabshah killed more than 30 people. Each disaster has renewed questions about aging tracks, overloaded trains, and maintenance lapses on Pakistan's rail network.
The takeaway: with an inquiry due within days, investigators must explain how all 14 coaches of a packed express left the rails — and whether warning signs were missed.
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