A preliminary inquiry into the derailment of the Islamabad Express near Kala Shah Kaku has revealed that the accident was caused by fresh breakage in the railway track under the moving wheels of the train.
The incident occurred around 7:30pm on Friday near the 1239th 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.
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.
Meanwhile, efforts to restore the railway line are still underway. Railway staff, aided by heavy machinery, are using cranes to straighten the bogies. A temporary track is being laid to move the derailed coaches, though several bogies still remain obstructing the line. Authorities estimated that full restoration of the track would take 10 to 12 more hours.
