Accidents and derailments are common on Pakistan's outdated railway system, which spans nearly 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) and serves over 80 million passengers annually.
Railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique described the incident as "quite a big accident" with the Hazara Express carrying approximately 1,000 passengers when it derailed. The cause of the derailment is yet to be determined, and investigations will consider mechanical failure or possible sabotage.
The tragic event occurred near the Sahara railway station close to Nawabshah city in the southern Sindh province. Eight coaches of the train derailed, causing severe damage and trapping some passengers in one carriage.
Emergency services faced chaotic scenes at the Nawabshah Trauma Centre as they attended to the injured. Volunteers and relief efforts were mobilized to assist those affected by the derailment.
The Hazara Express, a daily passenger train, connects Karachi in the south to Havelian in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, covering a distance of approximately 1,600 kilometers.
This devastating accident highlights the safety challenges faced by Pakistan's railway system, with previous incidents leading to loss of lives and injuries, including train collisions and fires.
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