2019 Tezgam train fire
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{short description|2019 train fire in Pakistan}}
{{Infobox public transit accident
| name = 2019 Pakistan train fire
| image = File:Tezgam Route Map.png
| image_size = 200px
| image_alt = Map showing route of Tezgam express
| caption = Route of the Tezgam express shown in blue.
| image_map =
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Pakistan
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the fire on map of Pakistan
| coordinates = {{coord|29|00|26|N|70|59|20|E|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| date = {{Start date|2019|10|31|df=y}}
| time = 06:18 am PST (01:18 UTC)
| location = near Liaquat Pur railway station
| location_dir =
| location_city =
| location_dist_km =
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| country = Pakistan
| line = Karachi–Peshawar Line
| operator = Pakistan Railways
| owner =
| service = Tezgam
| type = Train fire
| cause =
| bus =
| trains = 1
| vehicles =
| passengers = 933
| crew =
| pedestrians =
| deaths = 75{{cite news |title=Death toll from Tezgam train fire climbs to 74 |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/253801 |work=Geo News |date=Oct 31, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Tezgam fire death toll reaches 75 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2092395/1/ |work=The Express Tribune |date=November 3, 2019}}
| injuries = 43
| damage = Three carriages destroyed
| property =
| route_map =
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| footnotes =
}}
On 31 October 2019, Pakistan Railways' Tezgam passenger train caught fire while traveling from Karachi to Rawalpindi, resulting in at least 75 passenger deaths. The train accident was the deadliest in Pakistan since 2005, when the Ghotki rail crash killed more than 100 people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/548934-here-are-major-train-accidents-in-pakistan-since-1953|title=Here are major train accidents in Pakistan since 1953|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|access-date=2019-11-03}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-train/fire-engulfs-pakistani-train-kills-at-least-65-idUKKBN1XA0CO|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031080518/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-train/fire-engulfs-pakistani-train-kills-at-least-65-idUKKBN1XA0CO|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 October 2019|title=Fire engulfs Pakistani train, kills at least 65|last=Birsel|first=Robert|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=31 October 2019}} Preliminary evidence suggested the explosion of a portable stove{{cite news |title=Initial inquiry says gas cylinders blast caused Tezgam fire |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1514433 |work=Dawn |date=November 2, 2019}} occurred because some passengers illegally cooked food aboard the train. Such use of gas stoves is common on Pakistan's railways; train authorities often turn a blind eye to the dangerous practice.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-50245090 |title=Pakistan train fire: Karachi to Rawalpindi service blaze kills dozens |work=BBC News |date=31 October 2019 |accessdate=31 October 2019}} However, an inquiry report revealed in January 2020 that the incident occurred due a short-circuit in the electric wiring of the train, negating earlier reports of a cylinder blast.{{cite news |title=Inquiry Report Blames Short-Circuit for Deadly Tezgam Train Fire Tragedy |url=https://arynews.tv/inquiry-report-tezgam-train-fire/ |work=ARY News |date=January 28, 2020}}
Fire
The accident occurred at 6:18 a.m. PST{{cite news |title=Tezgam train inferno death toll reaches 74 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2090405/1/ |work=The Express Tribune |date=October 31, 2019}} (01:18 UTC) on Main Line 1 in Liaquatpur tehsil, Rahim Yar Khan district, Punjab aboard the Tezgam express passenger train. Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, the Pakistani Federal Minister for Railways, reported that two gas stoves exploded, setting the train on fire. Other reports, though, along with survivors' testimonies, suggested an electrical problem was the cause of the fire.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50252409 |title=Pakistan train fire: Are accidents at a record high? |work=BBC News |date=November 2019 |accessdate=1 November 2019}} The train was carrying 933 people, 207 of whom were in the three carriages that were gutted.{{cite web |url=https://thefinancialdaily.com/at-least-71-killed-in-tezgam-train-fires/ |title=At least 71 killed in Tezgam Train fires |first=Muhammad |last=Fahad |publisher=The Financial Daily |accessdate=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031111415/https://thefinancialdaily.com/at-least-71-killed-in-tezgam-train-fires/ |archive-date=31 October 2019 |url-status=dead }}
Ten fire engines were dispatched to the scene of the fire and Pakistani Army troops assisted in the rescue operation. The most severely injured were taken to Bahawal Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur and Nishtar Hospital in Multan.{{cite web |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2019-10-31/pakistan-train-gas-stove-fire-dozens-dead-punjab-region/ |title=Pakistan train fire kills 65 as gas stove explodes |publisher=Independent Television News |accessdate=31 October 2019}} Those with less severe wounds were treated at THQ hospital in Liaquatpur and Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan.{{cite news |title=73 killed in Tezgam train inferno near Rahim Yar Khan: officials |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1514002 |work=Dawn |date=October 31, 2019}} According to witnesses, the train's fire took 20 minutes to put out.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/survivors-say-burning-train-took-20-minutes-to-stop-74-dead-1.4663674|title=Survivors say burning train took 20 minutes to stop, 74 dead {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|date=31 October 2019 |access-date=2019-11-03}} Another train was dispatched to rescue stranded passengers and take them to Rawalpindi.{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/pakistan-train-fire-kills-at-least-46-after-gas-canister-explodes-11849847|title=At least 71 dead after cooking stoves explode on Pakistan train|publisher=Sky News|accessdate=31 October 2019}}
Victims
Some of the 75 victims died{{cite web|url=https://thefinancialdaily.com/75-killed-in-tezgam-train-inferno/|title=75 killed in Tezgam train inferno|work=The Financial Daily |date=November 2019 |publisher=Financial Daily|accessdate=1 November 2019}} jumping from the moving train, which reportedly did not stop until about 20 minutes after the fire broke out,{{cite web|url=https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/8463/at-least-71-dead-in-pakistan-train-fire-police-say/|title=At least 73 dead in Pakistan train fire, police say|last=Hewitt|first=Sam|date=31 October 2019 |publisher=The Railway Hub|accessdate=31 October 2019}} despite the communication cord being pulled.{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/pakistan-train-fire-investigators-to-look-at-braking-system-11850716|title=Pakistan train fire: Investigators to look at braking system|last=Marris|first=Sharon|publisher=Sky News|accessdate=1 November 2019}} Fifty-seven of the dead were burned beyond recognition; DNA tests were needed for identification.{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-train/family-of-pakistan-train-fire-victims-struggle-to-identify-loved-ones-idUKKBN1XB3Y3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101111717/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-train/family-of-pakistan-train-fire-victims-struggle-to-identify-loved-ones-idUKKBN1XB3Y3|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2019|title=Family of Pakistan train fire victims struggle to identify loved ones|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=1 November 2019}} At least 43 passengers were injured, 11 critically.
Reaction
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, ordered an immediate inquiry into the accident. Sheikh Rasheed, the railways minister, announced a ₨1.5 million compensation fund for each of the families of the dead, as well as ₨0.5 million for those injured.{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/fire-on-moving-train-kills-65-passengers-in-central-pakistan/articleshow/71833245.cms|title=74 passengers killed in Pakistan train inferno|last=|first=|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=31 October 2019|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321024824/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/fire-on-moving-train-kills-65-passengers-in-central-pakistan/articleshow/71833245.cms |archive-date=21 March 2020 |access-date=}} Six railway officers were suspended after the accident.{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/254658-tezgam-fire-incident-six-railway-officers-suspended|title=Tezgam fire incident: Six railway officers suspended|publisher=Geo News|accessdate=5 November 2019}}The inquiry report revealed in January 2020 that the incident occurred due a short-circuit in the electric wiring of the train, negating earlier reports of a cylinder blast.
See also
- 2002 El Ayyat railway accident – a train fire with a similar cause.
- List of transportation fires
References
{{Reflist}}
{{2019 railway accidents}}
{{Fires in Pakistan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tezgam train fire, 2019}}
Category:2019 disasters in Pakistan
Category:2019 in Punjab, Pakistan
Category:Accidents and incidents involving Pakistan Railways
Category:Disasters in Punjab, Pakistan
Category:October 2019 in Pakistan
Category:Rahim Yar Khan District
Category:Railway accidents in 2019