Islamabad, 20 July (H.S.):

A freight train accident in Pakistan’s Sindh province disrupted railway services after 17 wagons of a coal hopper train derailed near Wahab Shah Railway Station in Matiari district on Sunday.

The derailment severely affected rail traffic in the Sindh region, forcing authorities to suspend operations on both up and down tracks. Train services between Karachi and other parts of the country were temporarily halted following the incident.

According to initial reports, the accident disrupted the movement of several passenger and freight trains, leading to delays in multiple services. The affected freight train was travelling from Karachi to Yusufwala when the derailment occurred.

According to a report by Duniya News, senior officials of Pakistan Railways, along with engineering and rescue teams, immediately reached the site after the accident. Authorities said that the exact cause of the derailment could not be determined immediately.

Passengers stranded at Hyderabad, Tando Adam and other railway stations were forced to use alternative modes of transport to reach their destinations. Local residents and social workers in Tando Adam also assisted affected passengers by providing food, drinking water and other essential supplies.

Railway officials said that train operations on both tracks had been suspended and the affected railway line could remain closed for up to 24 hours. Several trains, including the Karakoram Express at Hyderabad Station, Allama Iqbal Express at Kotri Station, and Pakistan Express at Landhi Station, were halted due to the disruption.

The Tezgam Express was stopped at Drigh Road Station, while the Millat Express and Farid Express were held at Cantt Station.

The incident is among several freight train derailments reported in Pakistan this year. Earlier, freight trains derailed near Harappa in February, Quetta in May, and Dadu district of Sindh province earlier this month, raising concerns over railway safety and infrastructure conditions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar