LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday said that a combination of “human error and mechanical issues” was the likely cause of the Tezgam Express derailment a day earlier.
The incident occurred Tuesday night near Adam Wahan Railway Station, close to Lodhran in Punjab, when seven coaches of the Karachi-bound train went off the tracks. A total of 26 passengers were injured, one of them critically.
Speaking to Dawn, Abbasi said the exact cause could not yet be confirmed, but initial indications pointed toward technical faults and human oversight. He expressed concern over the outdated condition of railway infrastructure, noting that many coaches in operation are decades old and have not been adequately maintained.
He added that coaches dating back to the 1960s are still in use and are currently undergoing phased refurbishment, covering both mechanical upgrades and structural improvements — not just cosmetic work. The minister also said that similar renovation efforts were underway for the Sukkur Express and Awam Express.
Abbasi praised the coordinated rescue response by railway and provincial authorities, saying timely action helped prevent fatalities and serious injuries.
Following the incident, the train resumed its journey to Karachi with only five coaches. Train driver Tariq Khan said he detected the problem immediately after noticing a sudden drop in load, indicating that some coaches had detached.
A Pakistan Railways spokesperson said the exact cause of the derailment would be determined after a formal inquiry.
However, eyewitnesses suggested that the accident may have been triggered by broken couplers between bogies, which split the train into two sections. Of the seven coaches still attached to the engine, five derailed.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways Divisional Superintendent Multan, Muhammad Hanif Gul, has vowed strict action against any officials found responsible for negligence.