29 Injured as Islamabad Express Derails Near Kala Shah Kaku, Massive Rescue Operation Launched

Islamabad, Aug 25 : At least 29 passengers were injured when the Islamabad Express derailed near Kala Shah Kaku in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district on Friday evening, triggering a large-scale rescue operation, according to local media reports.

The derailment occurred around 7:32 pm near a chemical plant in the Kala Shah Kaku area. Punjab Rescue 1122 reported that five coaches of the passenger train went off the tracks, prompting immediate emergency response efforts. The control room received a distress call shortly after the incident, and rescue teams were swiftly dispatched to the site.

Farooq Ahmed, spokesperson for Punjab Rescue 1122, stated that six emergency vehicles and a team of 25 rescue personnel were mobilized to carry out rescue operations. “Most passengers sustained minor injuries such as scratches, bruises, and skin abrasions,” Ahmed informed local newspapers.

Out of the injured, 22 passengers received first aid treatment on-site, while seven others were transported to Muridke Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for further medical attention. The rescue team confirmed that two passengers were initially trapped inside the derailed bogies but were successfully rescued and shifted to the hospital. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far. “Preliminary rescue operations have been completed, and there are no casualties,” a statement from the rescue team confirmed.

This incident comes just days after another train accident in Pakistan. On July 28, three coaches of the Jafar Express derailed near Shikarpur in Sindh province following a suspected explosion on the railway tracks. One passenger sustained injuries in that mishap.

Sukkur Railway Divisional Superintendent Jamshed Alam told Dawn that the Jafar Express was en route to Quetta from Peshawar when the derailment occurred near Sultanpur. Initially, operations were halted due to safety concerns, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.

However, the Ministry of Railways later clarified that the derailment was caused by a technical fault, not an explosion, as speculated. The Ministry stated, “An unidentified terrorist organization falsely claimed responsibility for an attack. This claim is baseless and opportunistic, as the incident was purely accidental.”

Both accidents have raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of Pakistan’s railway infrastructure.

Team Maverick.