5 killed, several injured as passenger train derails in Pakistan's Punjab

Train travelling from Karachi to Peshawar derails in Pakistan (Representative image) (PTI)

At least five people were killed and several others injured after a passenger train derailed in Pakistan's Punjab province early Tuesday, Pakistan-based Geo News reported.The Rehman Baba Express, travelling from the southern port city of Karachi to the northwestern city of Peshawar, derailed in Sher Shah, Punjab province, news agency AP reported, citing Pakistan Railways spokesperson Kaleem Akhtar.The injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment, while rescue teams continued operations at the accident site.The accident took place at around 5.15am, according to Geo News.Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths in separate statements and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.Train accidents are relatively common in Pakistan, where the railway system has suffered from decades of underinvestment, outdated tracks and ageing signalling systems.In 2023, 10 carriages of a passenger train derailed in southern Pakistan, killing 30 people and injuring more than 90 others.