A fire burns a train carriage after a gas canister passengers were using to cook breakfast exploded |
Islamabad, PAKISTAN
At least
65 people were killed and 45 others injured after a fire engulfed a train
travelling through central Pakistan, completely destroying at least three
coaches.
The
accident took place near the town of Liaquatpur, about 150km (93 miles) south
of the city of Multan on Thursday morning, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid
Ahmed told Al Jazeera by telephone.
"The death toll could rise
further," said Muhammad Asfandyar, a local hospital official. He said
all of the victims were being treated for burns.
The
train was carrying passengers from the southern city of Karachi to Rawalpindi.
"The injured have been taken to the
hospital, but unfortunately there is no nearby hospital [with a burn unit] so
we are trying to get them by helicopter to Multan," said Ali Nawaz, a railways ministry spokesman.
Each coach typically holds about 70
passengers, and Ahmed said the death toll could rise.
The
fire occurred when passengers used a portable gas-powered stove to prepare for
breakfast.
"One of the stoves exploded,
causing the fire and the other one exploded with it," said Faisal Niaz, an
official with the minister's office.
Ahmed
said firefighters had completed their work at the site of the blaze.
"Rail
service has been resumed on the tracks and rescue work is completed," he
said. "The fire is under control."
Pakistan’s
aging railway system is still based in many areas on colonial-era
infrastructure, and accidents have been a frequent occurrence in recent years.
People and rescue workers gather near the site after a fire broke out in a passenger train and destroyed three carriages near the town of Rahim Yar Khan |
Security
on intercity rail transport is also more lax than other forms of transport.
"A
tragedy that could have been avoided but ever since I can recall while
travelling by train no baggage check or restrictions enforced," said
Pakistani human rights minister Shireen Mazari following the accident.
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