ISLAMABAD – Death toll from a fire in three bogies of Rawalpindi boundTezgam train near Liaquatpur city has risen to seventy.
An official of Rahim Yar Khan district administration told Radio PakistanBahawalpur correspondent Sajjad Pervez, three coaches of the train caughtfire by burst of two gas cylinders when passengers were preparing breakfastthis morning.
Incharge Rescue 1122 Bahawalpur Baqir Hussain said the fire extinguishingand cooling process has been completed, and the injured passengers arebeing shifted to Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan hospitals.
Information about the incident can be obtained through helpline number0300-8060780 while an emergency center has been set up at Karachi RailwayStation, which can be accessed through telephone number 021-99213506.
Railway traffic has been suspended following the incident but the trackwill hopefully be opened for rail traffic within three hours.
Divisional Commercial Officer, Pakistan Railway Multan Division NabilaAslam told Radio Pakistan Bahawalpur Correspondent Sajjad Parvez that therescue and relief operation has been completed.
She told that total two hundred and seven passengers on board in the threeeconomy coaches of Tezgam which caught fire during the incident.
She said now railway track is clear and train traffic has been restored onUp and Down track.
Meanwhile, Railways Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed announced a compensationpackage of one point five million rupees for the heirs of each diedpassenger while half million rupees for each injured passenger.
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He also thanked Army Chief for participation of Pak Army troops in reliefand rescue operation.
Pakistan Army troops including doctors and paramedics have reached the siteof train incident for rescue and relief operation.
According to the ISPR, Army aviation helicopter is evacuating criticalinjured from the incident site.
President, PM express deep grief over loss of precious lives
President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed deepgrief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in Tezgam Express fireincident.
In their separate condolence messages, they condoled with the bereavedfamilies.
The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to provide prompt andbest possible medical treatment to those injured in the incident.
