Initial inquiry says gas cylinders blast caused Tezgam fire – Pakistan

LAHORE / RAHIM YAR KHAN: An initial investigation by a Pakistan Railways team states that the main reason behind Tezgam's hell on Thursday was the gas leak and the subsequent two-cylinder explosion and there was no evidence of short circuit, as some claim witnesses

"It has been established that the fire broke out just after some passengers began preparing breakfast in the economic coach," said public relations executive director Aijaz Ahmad Buriro. Dawn on Friday.

According to Mr. Buriro, the Federal Government Rail Inspector (FGIR) has been asked to conduct preliminary and detailed investigations. "The FGIR will present its preliminary investigation report to the main railway authorities on Saturday (today) and a detailed investigation report before November 20," he added.

He said the public relations administration would take action against officials interested in their alleged negligence in light of the results of the detailed investigation.

On the other hand, a senior civil defense officer with experience in fire investigation does not buy the PR version. He says that the gas cylinders are reduced to pieces after the explosion. "In the case of Tezgam, the two cylinders are largely intact with some small cuts and dents."

Civil defense official says the fire pattern suggests it was a short circuit

He said the pattern of fire eruption and its sudden spread to other trainers, as described by some survivors, suggests that it was a short circuit.

“The electrical system short circuit travels very fast. If it had been an explosion of cylinders, the fire would have been limited to only one coach, ”he added.

OPERATION: Rail operations across the country have worsened rapidly over the past year or so, claiming several lives in almost 100 major and minor accidents. None of the senior officials were found guilty and punished for negligence.

According to Haji Aleemullah, a member of Tableeghi Jamaat who attends the ongoing congregation in Raiwind, said everyone who attends this annual meeting and those who travel around the country to preach receive written instructions. “According to the instructions, they carry empty cylinders. We have learned that before addressing Tezgam, the Jamaat team showed empty cylinders to local rail authorities, ”he said.

A senior public relations officer has sought a judicial investigation into the fire if the government really wants to know the facts. “Since ordering an investigation by the FGIR is a departmental practice, it can save guilty officials from the controversy of short circuit and cylinder explosion. The government should better announce a court to conduct a judicial investigation into the incident to investigate the Sangi train accident and other serious incidents, "demanded the official, who requested anonymity.

Another public relations official, who also preferred anonymity, said: "Whether due to a short circuit or explosion of cylinders, it is the fault of the Pakistan Railways under the law."

Meanwhile, relatives and heirs of the deceased from Tezgam's hell faced difficulties in receiving the bodies (identified so far) at Sheikh Zayed Medical Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan on Friday.

Upon arriving at RY Khan from Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas and Umarkot, they told the media that there were no hospital arrangements and public relations authorities to guide them.

“The hospital administration told us that DNA tests of the dead and their immediate relatives would be performed in Lahore. But when we approached the officials of the RYK railway station, they refused to facilitate us by issuing free tickets to Lahore, ”said Amjad, a relative of a deceased.

"Similarly, the district administration also remained indifferent as it did not organize coffins for the bodies. Finally, the local Anjuman Tajran did what was necessary," he lamented.

According to the hospital coordinator, Rana Ilyas Ahmed, 62 bodies were brought here and only five were identified that were handed over to their heirs. "Although they faced difficulties, we have managed to bring a Lahore forensic team here to collect samples for DNA testing," he said.

The general director of public relations, Buriro, dispelled the impression, stating that public relations officials were facilitating passengers at several railway stations. Answering a question, he said there was no need for a judicial investigation into the fire.

Posted on Dawn, November 2, 2019