Federal Inspector of Railways to conduct inquiry of tragic train fire

• Over 70 people were killed in the incident.
• Rashid Ahmad has announced a compensation of Rs. 1.5 Million for the deceased passengers and 5 lacs for injured.
• Tezgam Express was on its way from Karachi to Rawalpindi.

KARACHI:  Federal Inspector of Railways will conduct inquiry of the Liaqatpur tragic train inferno that left over 70 people dead and dozens of others injured.

Jamshaid Alam, Deputy Divisional Superintendent Karachi Division said that detailed inquiry of the incident will be carried out by federal inspector of Railways.

Aslam said a helpline has been established at Divisional Superintendent office at the city station. He said he is personally supervising helpline to entertain queries pertaining to the incident.

Sharing the booking information, he said the two destroyed coaches were completely booked by Mr. Ameer Hussain and passengers from Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Mehrabpur and Rohri started their journey in these coaches.

Regarding the 54 Passenger of AC business class, he said complete details are available with Railways. The Karachi Division dismisses the rumours of being not in possession of relevant record of passengers travelling in Tezgam Express.

"All the record of passengers is in database of this Division; however care is being taken in order to avoid further spreading of panic. Names of deceased will be shown after confirmation from medical team present at the venue of accident." he said.

The Deputy Director PR City Station Tariq Asad said all the trains going Up from Karachi towards Lahore and Islamabad are on time today. Train schedule is not disturbed by the incident.

Meanwhile, the desperate family members and relatives of train victims thronged to Karachi Cantt Station to travel towards Rahim Yar Khan in search of their dear ones.

Passengers said this fire incident has exposed the sheer negligence and security failure of Pakistan Railways (PR).

The PR has already installed multi-million luggage scanners at major stations including Karachi and Hyderabad, but it seems that they are incapable to detect any explosive materials.

The ill-fated passenger train, Tezgam Express was on its way from Karachi to Rawalpindi, when a gas cylinder of passengers reportedly exploded near Rahim Yar Khan that engulfed three bogies and leaving over 70 person dead.

Railways announced that family members of the deceased or injured who want to travel to attend them in hospitals would be provided free travelling from Karachi Division. For availing this facility he asked them to contact Divisional Commercial Officer, Railways.

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has announced a compensation of Rs. 1.5 Million for the deceased passengers and 5 lacs for those who have sustained injuries in the train accident.

The minister has thanked the army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa for the rescue and relief role performed by the Pak Army Jawaans at the accident venue.

We are trying our best efforts to manage the post incident crisis. The list of the passengers who died would be shared once we receive it from Multan Division, said Jamshaid Alam Deputy DS.

Regarding the train operation, he said all trains for up country would start at their scheduled time.

ISPR said in order to assist civil administration, Army troops including Doctors and paramedics moved to incident site for rescue and relief operation. Army aviation helicopter flown from Multan to incident site to evacuate critical injured.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the incident as heart wrenching, urging the government to ensure immediate investigation and accountability.

Bilawal in his social media statement said that Railway Minister stooping to a new low by victim blaming. Outrageous as it is this minister who has the highest record of train accidents on his watch.