SAHIWAL: The newly-restored Bulleh Shah Express, travelling from Lahore to Pakpattan, derailed between villages 15/SP and 16/SP in Pakpattan tehsil late on Tuesday night.
Reports said the train’s fourth passengercoachleftthe tracksnear the Klasan Canal, forcing the train to make an emergency stop. No casualties or injuries were reported, and all passengers remained safe.
Local residents were the first toreach the scene and assisted the train driver, railway staff and stranded passengers.They alsoprovided food and drinking water to the passengers during the disruption.
Residents said that had the train overturned and plunged into the canal, the consequences could have been disastrous.
Many passengers disembarked and continued their journey to Pakpattan city in hired vehicles and other available transport.
A technical team was dispatched from Raiwind Junction to re-rail thederailed coach and restore the track. Pakpattan Station Master told Dawn by phone that it took nearly 14 hours to complete the restoration work and place the derailed coachback onthe track.
Rail traffic on the section remained suspended during the operation. After the track was cleared, the train resumed its journey to Pakpattan on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Lahore Railway Headquarters has constituted a technical committee to investigate the cause of the derailment.