Minister says train was inspected before Multan crash
Hanif Abbasi said the Rehman Baba Express was checked at Samasatta before it derailed near Sher Shah. He later told Dawn he confirms four deaths and cannot confirm a fifth. Pakistan Railways lists 41 injured.
Several coaches of the Peshawar-bound Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Railway Station in Multan district early on Tuesday. ARY put the time at about 6am.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the train had received mechanical attention at Samasatta Railway Junction before it left the tracks.
Abbasi later told Dawn he confirms four deaths and cannot confirm a fifth. Pakistan Railways lists 41 injured. ARY had reported four dead and more than 40 injured. Spokesperson Babar Ali had earlier said five were killed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry and faster rescue and treatment. A Lahore inquiry team is at the site. The cause is not confirmed.
Railway sources spoke of a fault in coach No. 9 and a stop near Rohri. A passenger said nuts and bolts on that coach were tightened. Officials say the cause is still unknown.