Tezgam fire incident: Six railway officers suspended

LAHORE: Six senior railways officials were suspended following the Tezgam train fire in which more than 70 people were killed.

According to initial reports presented to Pakistan Railways Chairman Sikandar Raja on Monday, Multan Division Superintendent Amir Mohammad Daud, along with six others from Karachi and Sukkur division were removed.

Those suspended include Junaid Aslam, an officer from Karachi Division, Assistant Commercial Officer of Sukkur Division Abid Qamar Sheikh, Rashid Ali of Sukkur Division and Ahsanul Haq of Karachi Division after initial inquiry. Additionally, two police officials of Grade-17 including deputy superintendent Dilawar Memon and Habibullah Khattak deputy superintendent Karachi Railways Police have been suspended.

Read also: Death toll from Tezgam train fire climbs to 74

On October 31, 74 people were killed and dozens wounded after a cooking gas cylinder exploded in the Rawalpindi-bound passenger train near Rahim Yar Khan.

The train was on its way from Karachi to Rawalpindi when the gas cylinder carried by a passenger exploded, killing and injuring passengers. The fire destroyed three of the train’s carriages, including two economy class carriages and one business class carriage.