Faulty coach blamed for Tezgam derailment

A joint investigation report into Tuesday's train derailment near Lodhran identified a faulty coach as the accident's primary cause. Meanwhile, authorities announced a formal inquiry to determine responsibility. According to the report, the derailment occurred due to a technical fault in one of the train's bogies, which was found to be unfit. The defective coach led to the accident, raising concerns over maintenance standards and safety checks within Pakistan Railways. Officials said further proceedings were underway to fix responsibility, adding that aspects of negligence were also being examined. The findings are expected to lead to additional administrative and corrective measures. The Tezgam Express travelling from Rawalpindi to Karachi derailed near Lodhran on Tuesday, injuring at least 25 passengers with one receiving critical wounds. According to Lodhran Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf, the accident occurred around 9pm near Adam Wahan railway station, located between Lodhran and Bahawalpur, when four coaches overturned and three derailed, disrupting both up and down railway tracks. Federal Government Inspector of Railways Rizwanul Haq Hashmi will conduct a detailed inquiry into the derailment of Tezgam (8-Down) on March 26 and 27 at the Divisional Superintendent's Office in Multan. The inquiry will begin at 9:00am, and members of the public are invited to provide evidence or information related to the accident. Submissions can also be made in writing to Pakistan Railways Headquarters in Lahore by March 30. Meanwhile, train schedules on several key routes remained disrupted on Wednesday. According to railway officials, multiple trains from Lahore and Faisalabad to Karachi, Quetta and Rawalpindi were delayed. Pakistan Express (46-Down) departed from Faisalabad with a delay of over five hours, while Karakoram Express (42-Down) left Lahore seven hours behind schedule. Karachi Express (16-Down) also faced a four-hour delay, while passengers of Pak Business Express (34-Down) were accommodated in alternative trains. Some services, including Green Line Express (6-Down), operated on schedule. Railway authorities said facilitation staff had been deployed at stations to assist passengers, advising travellers to contact helpline 117 for updates.