LAHORE, Pakistan — At least 74 people were killed today (Oct. 31) when multiple cars of the Karachi-to-Rawalpindi Tezgam express train caught fire.
The train run by state rail operator Pakistan Railways was finally stopped near the town of Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab province. Reports suggest the fire was started by gas cylinders brought (unofficially) onto the train by passengers to enable them to cook their own food during the 25-plus-hour, 960-mile journey.
The Pakistan government minister for railways told local media that two gas-fuelled cooking stoves had exploded, leading to the fire which spread to engulf three seated economy cars (the train also has Sleeper cars). Local media reports suggest at least 70 people were killed, some of them while jumping from the burning train, and at least 40 seriously injured.
Pakistan Railways has had several serious accidents in recent years but this is the most serious for over a decade.
— Updated Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. CDT to reflect death toll has risen to 74.
