Pakistan train fire leaves over 70 dead
MANY PASSENGERS ALSO INJURED
A RAGING fire has swept through a train in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab Province, killing 74 people.
Survivors said it took nearly 20 minutes for the train to stop amid contradictory reports about the condition of the train’s brakes.
Three carriages were consumed by flames from a fire caused by a cooking gas stove and dozens of people jumped from the train.
Conductor Sadiue Ahmed Khan said the train’s emergency braking system was in working order and the train stopped within three minutes after the first signs of fire.
“This is the worst tragedy in my life as a driver,” he said.
Investigators said they will be looking at the train’s braking system.
Survivors recounted pulling at emergency cords that weave through the train to notify the conductor, but they said the train continued to speed down the tracks.
The train, which was travelling from the southern Arabian Sea port city of Karachi to Rawalpindi, just six miles from the federal capital, was carrying 857 passengers.
Most of the dead were members of Tableeqi-e-Jamaat, an organisation of Islamic missionaries.
The fire was believed to have started in their compartment.
The fire apparently started after one of several small stoves brought on to the train by the Tableeqi members exploded, setting other gas cylinders used to fuel the stoves on fire, said deputy railways commissioner Jamil Ahmed.
Flames roared through the train engulfing three carriages as it approached the town of Liaquatpur in Punjab.
Survivors recounted horrific scenes of fellow passengers screaming as they jumped through windows and off the train, flames billowing from the carriages.