An explosion on the Shalimar Express train ahead of Toba Tek Singh, 2 persons killed and at least 25 injured while more causalities are feared, media reposts on Monday.
The explosion occurred in cabin number seven of the economy class.
Two cabins have been damaged and the injured victims are shifted to nearby hospitals.
Rescue teams have reached the site of the blast. The injured victims are being shifted to nearby hospitals while the critically injured victims may be transferred to hospitals in Faisalabad.
A five year-old died on the spot after succumbing to injuries.
According to Shalimar Express officials, first aid boxes are available within the train and train managers are assisting the rescue work.
Live Updates By Express Tribune
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2:50 pm
The train has left for its remaining journey though passengers from the damaged cabin refused to get on-board.
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2:49 pm
“We think that this is the work of a group that wants extortion money since the bomb was not planted where the passengers were sitting,” said Minister for Railways Saad Rafique.
Railway police don’t have the required resources; they do not have cars, or bomb detectors said the minister.
“We have begun an inquiry,” he added.
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2:39 pm
The blast was planted inside the train cabin’s toilet. The intensity of the blast is said to be low.
Passengers were asked to sit inside the train again, though some refused and chose private transport. The train is due to continue its journey to Karachi. The damaged cabin will be dropped off at the next station.
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2:25 pm
Minister for Pakistan Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said that there have been no deaths a result of the blast.
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1:57 pm
DPO Asif Shehzad said three injured victims are in a critical condition at the hospital.
According to the DPO, 9 people were shifted to the hospital for treatment.
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1:54 pm
Railway sources say they received calls and threats in connection with extortion money, media reported.
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1:48 pm
Death toll rises to three as one more person succumbs to injuries.
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1:43 pm
Eye witness Sonya said “We were sleeping in the cabin when the blast took place. There were many water bottles present where the blast took place; we fear the bottles may have contained explosive substance.”
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1:39 pm
Another victim succumbed to injuries, making it the second death due to the blast.
An emergency has been declared at hospitals in Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh.
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1:32 pm
According to railway constable, details regarding the nature of the blast are not known as of yet.
There were at least 60 people in the cabin where the explosion took place.
25 people have been reported to be injured due to the blast.
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1:28 pm
Police officials have still not reached the scene of the blast.
Passers-by are causing difficulties for the rescue operation as they are obstructing emergency path and there is no one to manage the crowd.
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1:24 pm
Rescue teams have reached the site of the blast. The injured victims are being shifted to nearby hospitals while the critically injured victims may be transferred to hospitals in Faisalabad.
A five year-old died on the spot after succumbing to injuries.
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