Freight train derails, tracks blocked for 10 hours

Officials have not disclosed cause of derailment, nor financial losses to goods being transported

HYDERABAD:

Ten bogies of a Punjab-bound freight train, carrying containers, derailed near Deparja railway crossing in Padedan, Naushahro Feroze district on Monday, disrupting train movement on both up and down country tracks for nearly 10 hours. Five of the bogies overturned during the incident.

Railway authorities expressed hope that one track would be restored by 9pm on Monday to resume train operations. No casualties were reported. However, thousands of passengers travelling on several trains were stranded at various stations across the province, awaiting track clearance.

Officials have not disclosed the cause of the derailment, nor the financial losses to the goods being transported. According to DSP Railways Jamshed Alam, heavy machinery was promptly dispatched to the site to clear the track. He added that a tentative deadline of 9 pm had been set for reopening the line. The accident occurred between Mehrabpur and Setharja railway stations.