Tezgam train bound from Karachi to Rawalpindi caught fire by a cylinder blast. The gas cylinder brought by a passenger onboard. Tezgam Express exploded when the train was near to southern Punjab district of Rahim Yar Khan, according to officials. The death toll by the fire in three bogies of the train near Liaquatpur comprised 73 people, while many remained under critical condition, Rahim Yar Khan District government proclaimed Thursday, October 31, 2019.
The Pakistan Army sent doctors and paramedics to the site to assist the civil administration in rescue and relief activities. Army Aviation helicopters were also dispatched from Multan to evacuate the critically injured, according to the military’s media wing.
Railways Minister:
Sheikh Rashid confirmed two gas stoves blew up.
“Two stoves blew up when people were cooking breakfast, the presence of kerosene with the passengers in (the) moving train further spread the fire,” he said.
“Most deaths occurred from people jumping off the train,” the minister claimed. Passengers sneaking stoves into trains to prepare meals on a long journey is a common problem.
Sheikh Rashid has announced Rs.15 million as compensation for each passenger killed in the incident while Rs500,000 for the injured.
He said he would himself monitor the relief activities. He said Hussain has names of those who lost their lives in the incident. The minister conceded that it was “our negligence” that the passengers managed to carry the gas cylinder into the train.
Prime Minister:
Imran Khan has ordered an inquiry into the train incident that killed 65 people in Rahim Yar Khan on Thursday.
Expressing sorrow over the loss of lives, the premier said on Twitter,”
“My condolences go to the victims’ families & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.
