The fire destroyed three of the train’s carriages near the town of Rahim Yar Khan in the south of Punjab province
WEB DESK
In a major train accident in Pakistan, at least 73 people were killed and dozens wounded when Rawalpindi-bound Tezgam express erupted in flames.
Television footage showed flames pouring out of the carriages as people could be heard crying in the incident near Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab province.
The wounded were rushed to hospitals in the nearby city of Bahawalpur and elsewhere in Rahim Yar Khan district.
According to reports the train, Tezgam, was on its way from Karachi to Rawalpindi, when a gas cylinder carried by a passenger exploded, killing and injuring passengers in the train. The fire destroyed three of the train’s bogies, including two economy class carriages and one business class carriage.
Head of the district rescue service Baqir Hussain confirmed the news of the death toll. Hussain added the dead bodies will be identified through DNA.
DPO Rahim Yar Khan Ameer Taimoor Khan said the injured have been shifted to DHQ Liaqatpur and Bahawalpur.
Hospital sources said, 10 of the dead bodies have been identified, while 17 are unidentifiable.
A Pakistan Railways official confirmed that the fire was caused by the explosion in a gas cylinder.
Earlier Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said a gas stove blew up when some of the passengers were preparing breakfast on the speeding train in violation of rules.
Railway officials added there were more than 200 passengers travelling in the three carriages. At least 77 passengers were on board one of the carriages, while 78 others were in the other economy class carriage. At least 54 passengers were travelling in the business class carriage.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an inquiry into the train incident. “My condolences go to the victims’ families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the premier said in a message on Twitter.
I have ordered an immediate inquiry to be completed on an urgent basis, PM Imran added.
Pakistan Army soldiers reached the scene of the incident and were helping with the rescue operation, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
“Pakistan Army soldiers are working with the civil administration to help with the operation. An army aviation helicopter has reached the scene of the incident,” the statement added.