Tezgam train incident: 73 killed, scores injured as train catches fire

Tezgam Train traveling from Karachi to Rawalpindi met with an accident when a gas cylinder exploded resulting in the death of more than 65 passengers and scores injured. Casualties feared to increase.

The tragic incident occurred near Liaqatpur, when a gas cylinder carried by a passenger exploded, leaving several dead and injured.  Three of the passenger carriages were destroyed completely, including two economy class carriages and one business class carriage.

The video footage emerging from the scene of the accident shows the scale of the calamity.

According to the Railway officials, there were more than 200 passengers traveling in the three carriages, in which there were at least 77 passengers in one of the carriages while there 78 in the other economy class carriage. At least 54 passengers were traveling in the business class carriage.

Pakistan Army soldiers are helping with the rescue operations. Reportedly most of the people traveling in the Tezgam belong to Hyderabad and Karachi.

The wounded were being rushed to hospitals in the nearby city of Bahawalpur and elsewhere in Rahim Yar Khan district, according to Yasmin Rashid provincial health minister who rushed the spot. She further added that only 18 of the bodies were identifiable so far.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an inquiry into the train.  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”.