Christian family speak to BACA of terror during Pak-Train fire that killed 74 people – BACA begin aid program!

Burning carriages illustrate woeful safety practices on Pakistan Railway a vital travel resource.

Hear Mehwish Bhatti’s full interview on UCB radio (click here)



Our BPCA officer visited the burned out train

A fire on a train from Karachi to Rawal Pindi has resulted in the death of 74 travellers at the last count and injured at least 40 others. The fire
is believed to have begun after a portable gas canister being used by passengers to cook a traditional Pakistani breakfast exploded. Three carriages
were set alight by the explosion as fire rapidly spread through the moving train.The accident took place near the town of Liaquatpur, about 150 kilometres
(93 miles) south of the city of Multan on Thursday morning.  A statement via Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan shared his sorrow after the
even and suggested that most of the deaths associated with this accident were a result from passengers jumping from the train and not as a consequence
of the fire itself – though images of the fire ripping through the carriages are extremely alarming to watch.

The incident occurred near the town of Liaquatpur, about 150 kilometres (93 miles) south of the city of Multan on Thursday morning. Eyewitness have
said that train staff had spoken to the family using the stove to cook their breakfast and had instructed them to terminate their activity, however
the family were ignored when cooking began in earnest moments later.

The carrying of portable gas stoves on a train is against train safety rules but the poorest passengers in Pakistani trains are habitual abusers of
the rules.  Reasons for this non-compliance is believed to be based on the exorbitant cost of food on long train journeys where hot food is sold
at a premium and lax security that allows for such cooking to be undertaken without hindrance.

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told Geo TV: Two cooking stoves blew up. They were cooking, they had (cooking) oil which added fuel to fire

Only 15 individuals from the total death count have been identified by their physical features of which only 10 corpses have been handed over to their
families, the other 5 corpses have been stored at the morgue at Gurmukh Ram hospital in Liaquatpur, Rahim Yar Khan – awaiting handover.

 

59 corpses have been sent to Sheikh Zayed hospital in Rahim Yar Khan for DNA testing as their physical features have been rendered unrecognisable due
to severe burns.     



Only DNA matching can reveal identity of some deceased passengers.

A further 40 passengers were injured of which 9 individuals who were critically burnt have been admitted at Multan hospital one of the few Pakistani
hospitals with a specialist burns unit. A further  have been sent to other hospitals including 44 at Bhawalupur Victoria Hospital.

Passengers state that It had taken 20 minutes for the train operators to immobilise the train which meant that the initial fire spread backwards rapidly
as the momentum of the journey pulled at the fire. Pakistan An emergency response consisting of Pakistan Railways officers, the Pakistan Army, paramedical
staff, the fire brigade and other rescue teams arrived around 10 minutes later. It should be noted that a Pakistan Railway spokesperson has said their
was nothing wrong with the trains braking system and insist the train was stopped within 3 minutes.

Eventually the three burning carriages were separated from the main train and the unaffected carriages continued their journey, with passengers inn
a state of shock and anxiety.  Now the three burnt coaches are standing on a maintenance track at Chuni Got Railway Station in Rahim Yar Khan
where they will be investigated for further information.



BACA representative Pastor Saeed reached the incident scene almost as quick as emergency services.

BACA representative Pastor Saeed Akhtar of Philadelphia Pentecostal Church visited local hospitals and the railway station, in an attempt to make contact
with survivors to provide prayer support and to see how else we could assist. Due to the chaotic situation he was not able to visit survivors at the
hospital but tomorrow he aims to meet and pray with them.  Already contact has been made with one Christian family who survived after having lost
a family member.

Mehboob Masih (50 yrs) son of Rehmat Masih was travelling to Lahore from Karachi after attendance at the funeral of a paternal uncle in Karachi, 5
days ago.  Travelling with him were his paternal aunt Khursheed bibi (70 yrs), his three cousins Gulzar Masih (51yrs), Saif Masih (47yrs), llyas
(47yrs) and paternal Uncle Zahoor (66 yrs) who all reside in Gujranwala. 

The family were all standing in the economy carriage nearest to the three burning carriage and saw the eruption in flames of the third carriage from
the end. In a state of panic Mehboob leapt from the train believing the fire would consume his carriage while the rest of the family who had become
separated, fled to the front end of the carriage away from the three burning carriages.  He died some time later from injuries sustained from
his leap and it is believed his end would have been a very painful one. His dead body was later identified by the distressed surviving members of his
family travelling party who have taken his body to Mehboob’s home in Lahore where he will be buried tomorrow at 2.30pm. Mehboob leaves behind a wife
and three children who will now have to survive without their breadwinner and guardian. Our national executive in Pakistan Mehwish Bhatti who has consoled
and counselled the family has been invited to attend the funeral and will be present.  BACA have already agreed to fund all cost for the funeral
for the family click here

BACA will use funds from our ongoing Disaster Recovery fund to help suffering families irrespective of their faith, if you would like to contribute to this please (click here).


Please sign our petition calling for reform of the Pakistan Railway system (here)

Mehwish Bhatti earlier today spoke to UCB (United Christian Broadcasting) radio briefing about the situation in Pakistan. She explained that many of
the people on board the train were heading to a protest in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. You can hear her interview click here.  Juliet
Chowdhry a trustee for BACA also spoke with UCB and her interview can be heard here

British Asian Christian Association, has written a letter of condolence to the Pakistan High Commission in London and will be presenting a wreath if flowers
in solidarity and to express our common grief.

We have also prepared a letter to express our desire for changes to the existing Pakistan Railways protocols regarding safety and the need for a more concerted
effort by statutory agencies to eradicate the existing health and safety concerns on the Pakistani railway system.

Points raised include:

  • Our desire for eradication of the sitting on the roof of trains and clinging to external trains by passengers travelling shorter rail journeys – this did not happen on yesterdays train as it was a long distance train.
  • Need for more warning signs prohibiting use of dangerous gas stoves for cooking food on trains
  • On the spot fines and police arrests and the immediate removal of passengers for non-compliance of these safety concerns – their train tickets should be cancelled immediately with no recourse for refund.
  • Awareness of safety concerns related to train travel should be shared on all media – in the Urdu language so the majority of the nation can understand.
  • Improved safety of carriages which should include emergency exits that are easily accessible, fire hydrants and equipment.

Consideration of an overhaul of the existing train infrastructure for a more modern railway system commensurate with developments in the 21st century – but this of course would be limited by financial constraints.