LAHORE — Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday said that human error and mechanical issues were likely behind the derailment of the Tezgam Express near Lodhran a day earlier.
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At least 26 passengers were injured, including one in critical condition, when seven coaches of the Karachi-bound train derailed near Adam Wahan Railway Station on Tuesday night. Authorities said timely rescue efforts helped prevent fatalities.
Twenty-six passengers were injured, including one critically, when seven coaches of the Karachi-bound Tezgam Express derailed near Adam Wahan Railway Station in Lodhran, near Bhawalpur in Pakistan. The train, which was travelling from Lahore, had five of its coaches overturned in… pic.twitter.com/nLB8OhbJ2a
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Speaking about the incident, Abbasi noted that the exact cause would only be confirmed after a formal inquiry but indicated that aging infrastructure and operational challenges may have contributed. He highlighted that Pakistan Railways continues to operate decades-old coaches, some dating back to the 1960s, which require urgent upgrades.
The minister acknowledged gaps in maintenance over the past several years and said refurbishment efforts are underway to improve safety standards. He added that upgrades to trains such as Sukkur Express and Awam Express are currently in progress.
Railway officials and local authorities carried out a joint rescue and relief operation at the site, ensuring injured passengers received immediate medical assistance. The train was later able to resume its journey to Karachi with a reduced number of coaches.
Train driver Tariq Khan said he noticed a sudden drop in load, indicating that the coaches had separated. Some eyewitnesses suggested that broken couplers between bogies may have caused the derailment, splitting the train into two sections.
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Meanwhile, railway authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible, as efforts continue to enhance safety and reliability across the railway network.