Pakistan: At least 73 killed after gas cylinder explodes on Tezgam Express

The dead and injured are being shifted to DHQ Hospital in Liaquatpur, Dawn reported. Those with serious injuries are being shifted to Bahawal Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur.

Explaining the reason behind the fire, Pakistan’s Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said two gas stoves carried by some passengers blew up when they were making breakfast on the speeding train, in violation of rules. “Some of the passengers started making breakfast on small gas cylinders they brought with them when they exploded and the fire engulfed the three coaches of the train,” PTI quoted him as saying.

The minister further said that most of the victims belonged to the Tableeghi Jamaat (Islamic preachers), who were going to Lahore to attend a major religious congregation at Raiwind. He also said that most deaths occurred from people jumping off the train.

The Jamaat, however, countered the minister’s argument, saying the explosion took place because of “short circuit”. “Some injured passengers said that they had told the train officials late on Wednesday night about the short circuit smell but no attention was paid and on Thursday morning explosion took place,” PTI quoted the Jamaat as saying.

“I was travelling along with my mother, a sister and a brother when our bogie caught fire after a sudden explosion at around 6 am. Everyone was crying and looking for saving one’s life. I asked my family members to jump off the train before the fire reached us. My brother and I managed to jump off the train, but my mother and sister couldn’t,” PTI quoted Iftikhar Ahmed, an injured person, as saying.

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his grief over the incident and directed authorities to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.

Pakistan Railway Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, though, admitted his administration’s failure for not checking the cylinders the passengers brought with them. “It was our fault. And we will investigate it,” PTI quoted him as saying. Later through a video message, Ahmad announced a compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next of kin to the dead while Rs 5 lakh to those who are injured.