Move FM Global News

KARACHI, Pakistan – Dozens of people have been killed in a massive fire on board a train travelling between Karachi and Rawalpindi, in Pakistan.

The overnight express exploded into flames after a gas canister ignited as passengers using their own stove were cooking breakfast.

The fire quickly spread to three carriages.

Seventy-three bodies had been recovered at the time of writing according to Baqir Hussain, the chief rescue officer at the scene.

The bodies were so badly burnt that they were unrecognizable.

At least 40 people have sustained injuries, many so serious that the death toll is expected to rise.

Local media said a number of passengers jumped from the train to escape the fire.

The fire took place near Rahim Yar Khan district in the Punjab province.

“Two stoves blew up when people were cooking breakfast, the presence of kerosene with the passengers in the moving train further spread the fire,” the Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told Geo television.

“Most deaths occurred from people jumping off the train,” he said.

Stoves are banned on trains, but many passengers sneak them on to cook during long journeys, the minister explained. Many of the passengers were heading to a conference organised by the Tablighi Jamaat Sunni Muslim missionary movement.

“People were jumping off, some of them were on fire,” a witness told Geo.

“Deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy of the Tezgam train. My condolences go to the victims’ families & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. I have ordered an immediate inquiry to be completed on an urgent basis,” Prime Minister Imran Khan posted on Twitter.