Iran Condoles with Pakistan over Train Tragedy
TEHRAN (Basirat): The Iranian foreign ministry on Thursday extended condolences to the Pakistani government and nation over the death of tens of people in a train fire.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi extended the country's condolences to the families of the victims of the incident as well as Pakistani authorities and people.
A massive fire broke out on a moving train in Pakistan's Eastern Punjab province after two gas cylinders exploded while some passengers were cooking breakfast, killing over 70 people, mostly Islamic preachers travelling to attend a religious congregation.
The train, Tezgam Express, was on its way to Lahore from Karachi when the fire broke out early morning, gutting three bogies which had over 200 passengers, including women and children, at Liaquatpur near Rahim Yar Khan, some 400 kms from Lahore, authorities said, according to India Today.
District Emergency Officer RYK Baqir Hussain confirmed that 73 passengers lost their lives in the fire.
Most deaths occurred from people jumping off the train, the authorities said, adding that the toll could rise further as more than 40 passengers have suffered severe burn injuries.
Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad stated that most of the victims belonged to the Tableeghi Jamaat (Islamic preachers) who were going to Lahore to attend a major annual congregation at Raiwind.
The Railways Minister noted that two gas stoves carried by some passengers blew up when they were preparing breakfast on the speeding train in violation of rules.
"Some of the passengers started making breakfast on small gas cylinders they brought with them when they exploded and the fire engulfed the three coaches of the train," he stated.
The Tableeghi Jamaat office-bearers, however, dismissed the Railway Minister's claim, saying the explosion took place because of "short circuit".
"Some injured passengers said they had told the train officials late on Wednesday night about the short circuit smell but no attention was paid and on Thursday morning explosion took place," the Jamaat announced.
The authorities said they were still trying to identify the victims.
Source:FNA
