- Authorities say there are no initial reports of casualties.
- Trains scheduled until tomorrow have been suspended.
- Several passenger trains stopped at different stations.
KARACHI: Train services have been suspended in Sindh after 17 coaches of a freight train derailed near Wahab Shah railway station in Matiari district, railway officials said on Sunday.
Pakistan Railways officials said train services on both up and down tracks were suspended after the incident, adding that the line could remain closed for up to 24 hours.
Several passenger trains were stopped at different stations following the disruption: Karakoram Express at Hyderabad station, Allama Iqbal Express at Kotri station and Pakistan Express at Landhi station.
The Tezgam Express was stopped at Drigh Road station, and Millat Express and Fareed Express were stopped at Cantt station due to the disruption.
Railway authorities earlier said that the coal hopper train, traveling from Karachi to Yousafwala, derailed near Wahab Shah railway station, disrupting operations on both uphill and downhill railway tracks.
At the time, authorities said there were no initial reports of casualties.
They said rescue and engineering teams had been sent to the accident site, while trains were stopped at Tando Adam, Hyderabad, Karachi, Rohri and other railway stations.
Sukkur Divisional Railway Superintendent Farman Ghani later said relief trains were being sent from Rohri and Kotri to the accident site.
“The road has been affected to a considerable extent and its restoration will take time,” Ghani said, adding that efforts were being made to clear both roads and resume operations.
