
Pak Business Express derails in Lahore days after inauguration
The Pak Business Express derailed near the washing line area in Lahore, days after its inauguration by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Authorities are currently working to place the train back on the track. The derailment has not yet been attributed to a specific cause, Express News reported.
According to Railways officials, the train went off track in the early hours and rescue teams were immediately dispatched. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
PM Shehbaz had inaugurated the Pak Business Express train at the Lahore Railway Station earlier this week. The new business train was designed to meet international comfort and service standards, marking a significant upgrade from traditional offerings.
Also read: Dozens hurt as Islamabad Express derails
Separately, on Friday, over 150 passengers were left injured when five coaches of the Islamabad Express passenger train overturned near Kala Shah Kaku railway station, just 15 kilometres from Lahore, in a terrifying derailment that narrowly avoided plunging the train into a ravine.
The train, en route from Lahore to Rawalpindi with hundreds of passengers aboard, met with the accident near the rugged terrain surrounding Kala Shah Kaku.
According to the injured passengers, sudden jolts began as the train crossed the stretch near the station, causing five rear coaches to veer off the eastern side of the track and overturn.

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a day ago
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