Rahim Yar Khan: On Thursday, three carriages of Tezgam express caught fire due to explosion of gas cylinder used by passengers to cook breakfast near Talwari station in Liaquatpur area of Rahim Yar Khan. At least 65 passengers lost their lives and 32 sustained critical burn wounds.
Many passengers were injured as they tried to jump from the moving train to escape the flames. Emergency has been declared in all the hospitals of the district. 12 injured people are in a critical condition whereas, 18 burnt bodies could not be identified.
Many of the dead and injured people were shifted to DHQ hospital in Liaquatpur. Women and children are also among the victims.
Pakistan Railways has stated that people can contact them at helpline number (03008060780) for any required information. Pakistan Railways (PR- Karachi Division) has given a helpline number 02199213506 for families of the passengers to contact in case of any required information.
According to DG ISPR Major Asif Ghafoor, Pakistan Army soliders have also been assisting in relief and rescue efforts. He further told that an army helicopter have also been dispatched from Multan in order to rescue the injured.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed told the media that rescue operation was underway and the track would be opened after two hours.
“Two cooking stoves blew up. They were cooking, they had (cooking) oil which added fuel to fire,” Rasheed told a private TV channel. “Most deaths occurred from people jumping off the train,” he added.
