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Death toll from train fire rises to 27, according to Rahim Yar Khan DC

At least 27 people were killed on Thursday when three bogies of a Tezgam train caught fire near Liaqatpur city, district commissioner of Rahim Yar Khan said.

Women and children are also amongst the victims — none of whom have been identified yet. The dead and injured are being shifted to DHQ Hospital in Liaqatpur.

Rescue 1122 teams have extinguished the fire and are now carrying out a cooling and search operation under the supervision of Rahim Yar Khan Deputy Commissioner Jamil Ahmed. Army troops including doctors and paramedics have also been dispatched to assist rescue teams in the operation, a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

An army helicopter was also dispatched from Multan in order to rescue the injured, the ISPR statement added further.

The fire was caused by a cylinder blast that occurred in the morning when passengers were preparing their breakfast, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid said. Many people saved their lives by jumping off the train, the minister said. All three of the bogies that caught fire were of the economy class, he added.

The train was bound from Karachi to Rawalpindi, Radio Pak reported. Rashid said that the damaged track will be made operational within two hours.

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his grief over the incident and directed authorities to provide the best medical treatment to the injured, Radio Pak said. He also extended his condolences to the families of the victims.



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