Tezgam tragedy: 57 bodies shifted to Rahim Yar Khan for DNA testing

MIRPUR KHAS (92 News) – Many of the bodies, who killed in Tezgam Express fire tragedy, are charred beyond recognition and will have to be identified through DNA testing, however, 57 from 74 people has been shifted Rahim Yar Khan for DNA testing. According to the details garnered, seven bodies handed over to their families in Mirpur Khas. The funeral prayers have been offered from three of them. Distraught relatives gathered Friday for the first funerals of some of the 74 people killed in Tezgam tragedy, with many of the victims residents of a single town. Sobbing family crowded an official building in Mirpurkhas overnight as the first bodies covered in white cloth began arriving by ambulance from the scene of the disaster. It was held at the Bismillah Mosque, from which at least 42 pilgrims had left to board the train one day earlier bound for a religious festival near Lahore. Officials say as some of the train’s passengers cooked breakfast around dawn Thursday, two of their gas cylinders exploded, sending flames racing through three carriages as the train passed near Rahim Yar Khan, in Punjab province. At least 74 people died, some after jumping through windows on the still-moving train to escape the blaze. Local media reported that rescue officials found bodies and some injured people along a two-kilometre stretch of track. Seven of the bodies had been confirmed as being residents of the town so far, he said. More than 50 people were among the injured. It was also reported that the injured persons are in critical situation. The investigation teams have collected evidences from the incident spot and it is being considered to make forensic experts a part of the ongoing interrogations as well. A day earlier, at least 74 passengers were killed and several injured when an Tezgam Express train caught fire near the city area of Liaquatpur in Rahim Yar Khan. According to the reports, several passengers burnt alive as three bogies of Tezgam Express caught fire near Talwari Station in Liaquatpur area. The coach where the cylinder blasted was booked by the Taleeghi Jamaat’s men. They were boiling eggs on the gas stove to have breakfast when it exploded with a huge blast. After the blast, the raging fire engulfed two other coaches also. The ten vehicles of firefighters and Rescue 1122 reached at the spot and started the operation to extinguish the fire. The affected bogies have been separated from the train.