Railway traffic disrupted as freight train derails

A Karachi-bound goods train derailed near Okara Cantt on Saturday due to the negligence of railway staff, causing disruption to railway traffic.

According to details, the train had departed from Lahore for Karachi, but as it approached Okara Cantt, the railway track was not switched in time, forcing the driver to apply sudden brakes.

The sudden brakes caused the derailment of the engine and several bogies.

The accident left the train driver injured and trapped inside the damaged locomotive. Rescue teams managed to extract him from the wreckage and provided medical assistance.

Speaking after the incident, the driver stated that he had no choice but to apply sudden brakes to prevent a head-on collision as the railway track had not been changed.

Railway staff from Lahore and Multan were called in to repair the damaged track.

Following the derailment, both railway tracks were closed, suspending train operations between Karachi and Lahore. Passenger trains were halted for hours at Okara and Sahiwal railway stations, causing severe hardship for travellers.

However, one of the tracks was restored after seven hours, partially resuming operations.

According to an initial investigation by the Railways Police, the accident was attributed to a combination of over-speeding and a delay in switching the track.