Pakistan Railways successfully restored train operations on the Lahore-Rawalpindi section after a 17-hour suspension caused by a derailment near Kala Shah Kaku.
Officials said a temporary track was constructed to resume service while work continues on restoring the permanent rail line.
According to railway authorities, the accident-damaged portion -- spanning 800 meters -- was temporarily repaired, allowing the Jaffar Express to safely pass through the area with passengers on board. The train’s movement marked the official resumption of traffic on the busy corridor.
The derailment involved the Islamabad Express, and the process of removing its bogies is currently underway. Railway engineers and technical staff remain on-site to complete full-scale restoration.
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Preliminary findings suggest the accident was caused by a crack in the track, though further investigation is ongoing.
The incident occurred around 7:30pm on Friday near the 1,239th kilometre point on the Lahore-Islamabad railway line, when the train — en route from Lahore to Islamabad — derailed near Nullah Dek, between Sheikhupura and Muridke.
According to the initial findings of railway officials, the track appeared to have fractured under the pressure of the engine and its nine coaches. “The breakage is quite fresh,” the inquiry noted, indicating it occurred at the moment the wheels passed over it. Five coaches overturned and four others derailed as a result of the accident.
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Rescue officials earlier said that six bogies had derailed, causing injuries to more than 50 passengers, including women and children. Three of the bogies overturned, sparking panic among passengers, many of whom attempted to help one another before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Rescue 1122 teams dispatched six vehicles to the site, and a large-scale rescue and evacuation operation was launched. The injured were initially taken to Muridke THQ and Shahdara Teaching Hospital, while two passengers in critical condition were referred to Lahore’s General Hospital for further treatment.
Officials confirmed that the search operation continued for several hours amid fears that passengers might be trapped inside the overturned bogies.
