KARACHI, 5 February 2006 — The railway track has been repaired and traffic restored between Lahore and Karachi five hours after the derailment of Lahore-bound Karakoram Express going from Karachi.
Eleven coaches and engine of the train derailed at Sama-Satta, near Multan early yesterday at 3.15 a.m. after passing the Kalanchwala railway station.
According to hospital sources, one woman Sabira w/o Nabi Bakhsh from Lahore died in the accident, while 27 others were injured and shifted to the B.V. Hospital in Bahawalpur.
According to sources the train was derailed, as a fishplate was unscrewed.
Hundreds of passengers made their way out by breaking windowpanes and groping in the pitch darkness of night.
Military personnel, Edhi ambulances and other relief teams reached the place of the accident. Railway authorities have sent heavy cranes from Bahawalpur and Multan to help speed up relief operations.
Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Hyder has ordered an inquiry into the accident. He also announced Rs. 200,000 for the family of the deceased woman and Rs. 50,000 for each injured.
According to the railway sources the affected passengers of the train will be taken to Lahore by a special train.
The accident triggered suspension of rail traffic and four rains were halted at different stations, which will reach their destinations two to seven hours later than scheduled.
