LAHORE: The Ministry of Railways has raised various objections over the recently released inquiry (investigative) report into the Tezgam Express fire tragedy near Rahim Yar Khan, terming it flawed and biased.
It should be remembered that on October 31, 2019, the Tezgam Express from Karachi to Rawalpindi met with an accident near Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab and as a result of the fire, at least 74 people died And more than 30 passengers were injured.
Although the ministry expressed reservations over the report, the Federal Government Inspector of Railways, a top office empowered to investigate train accidents under the Railways Act, stood by its stand and got approval from the concerned quarters.
However, an official source in the ministry said that in the coming days, the Railway Minister or the Chairman/Secretary may withdraw the approval of the report keeping in mind the objections raised by the Ministry.
Apart from this, the official said on the condition of anonymity that ‘since the report has been approved, a committee of the Additional General Manager of Pakistan Railways has started to review it in detail’.
According to the detailed written reply given by the ministry, the FGIR report raised a question as to how the airflow from ACC business class (coach no. 11, 5th from engine) could be so high while She was at the rear of coach 12 (fourth from the engine) and the train was moving in an upward (forward) direction even though according to the laws of physics, the air pressure in such a situation is in economy class coach 12 (fourth from the engine). ) should be towards AC Business Class Coach No. 11 (5th from engine) but this (report) stated otherwise.
It is also noteworthy that most of the deaths occurred in coaches 12 and 13, not coach 11.
It added that the train was overcrowded to the extent that the main aisle and the area adjacent to the washrooms were also overcrowded. In a written response from the ministry, the FGIR said at various places that the dining car contractor had built temporary kitchens with full arrangements in the compartments between the coaches, but if the compartments were full of passengers. How could temporary kitchens be built with all the facilities?, this contradicts the clear indications on any stand (hence) to be decided on merit based on the evidence.
At the same time, he described the role of the forensic lab and its lab tests on behalf of FGIR, “According to them, the inquiry report is very clear that the LPG cylinder played a role in igniting the fire, the evidence of the incident is evident. “The initial cause of the fire was not the LPG cylinder but it only fueled the fire.”
The letter said that in this regard, he referred to the forensic science report and gave the impression that the lab confirmed that the LPG cylinder was not the initial cause of the fire, but the forensic test report did not mention any circumstantial evidence. No as it only indicates 2 cylinder detonation due to gas leakage and no ignition.
Eye-witnesses of the ministry’s FGIR passengers pulling the chain of the train, applying the brakes by the driver, seeking help from the forensic sciences lab, and the change party members carrying the LPG cylinders at the time of the incident. Witnesses, interviews with survivors, samples obtained for forensic lab, negligence of officers/staff, misuse or short circuit of power system, unauthorized use of mobile charging points, use of electric kettle etc., 220 watt Doubts were also expressed on the inquiry report regarding power sockets, conspicuous behavior of dining car staff (using tactics to avoid enquiry) etc.
The official said that the objections raised by the ministry seemed logical, so the AGMs committee could recommend the minister and the chairman to withdraw approval of the report.
He hoped that ‘we are waiting for the right decision to arrive at the facts related to the tragedy’.
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– 2024-04-16 16:52:23
