Deadly Train Crash Near Sahara Railway Station Kills 15
A horrific train derailment near the Sahara railway station in Nawabshah has claimed at least 15 lives and injured around 50 others. The ill-fated Hazara Express, travelling from Karachi to Abbottabad, crashed on Sunday, sparking urgent rescue efforts and raising fresh alarm over Pakistan’s ageing railway safety.
Rescue Teams Battle Chaos at Crash Site
Rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately after the derailment. Pakistan’s Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique confirmed the death toll and said 45 passengers were injured. Extra teams have been deployed to assist survivors and clear the wreckage. Dramatic images show smashed coaches and terrified passengers desperate to escape the mangled trains, with brave rescuers breaking windows to help those trapped inside.
Cause of Crash Still A Mystery
Authorities are probing the cause of the disaster. Minister Rafique said it’s too early to rule out mechanical failure or possible sabotage. Investigators are examining the train’s condition and surrounding factors to pinpoint what went wrong.
Pakistan’s Rail Woes: A History of Tragedy
- The country’s railway system is plagued by outdated infrastructure and safety lapses.
- June 2021 saw a deadly crash near Daharki kill 65 and injure 150 after a train derailed onto an opposite track and was hit by a second train.
- In 2019, the Tezgam Express fire claimed 75 lives — one of the deadliest rail disasters in Pakistan’s history.
- The 2005 head-on collision at Ghotki took more than 100 lives, underlining urgent calls for upgrades and tougher safety standards.
This latest derailment adds to mounting concerns that Pakistan’s railways urgently need modernisation before more lives are lost.
