An engine of the Lahore-bound Mianwali Express on Sunday derailed near Chiniot, once again highlighting concerns over railway safety and infrastructure maintenance.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the train was travelling from Mianwali to Lahore when the incident occurred on a section of track reported to be in poor condition.
The accident took place when the engine came off the rails near the Chiniot area.
Emergency response teams and railway officers immediately reached the site and launched repair operations to restore the track and clear the affected section.
Preliminary reports suggest that missing wooden sleepers, loose nuts and bolts, and a shortage of iron spikes were found at several points along the track.
The damaged condition of a level crossing near the Dar-ul-Sadr factory area has also been cited as a contributing factor to the incident.
Repair work on both the engine and the affected section of track is currently underway, while an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident has been started.
As per the channel report, two passenger coaches, including the railway engine, were derailed. Work is currently underway to restore the track, and the passenger coaches have been sent to their destination with a replacement engine.
Sources within the railway department indicated that poor maintenance of the rail infrastructure may have played a key role in the derailment.
Reporters: Babar Munir and Azmat Baloch