Pakistan70 people were killed and dozens were injured when gas tanks exploded on passenger trains in Punjab province today.

"It was terrible. The tragedy was caused by a gas cylinder being carried on board by passengers," said Shireen Mazari, a human rights minister in Punjab province, Pakistan. According to local media, some passengers were cooking breakfast on the train when the gas tank exploded while the train was moving near Rahim Yar Khan district.

Television images showed intense flames rising from the three carriages, while many people standing by the tracks cried out. The fire completely divided these three cars from the rest of the train.

Punjab provincial officials said most of the casualties were caused by jumping from high-speed trains to the ground when the fire broke out.

More than 40 injured were taken to hospitals in the nearby city of Bahawalpur and elsewhere in Rahim Yar Khan district. 18 bodies have been identified.

According to Mazari, the incident train was Tezgam, one of the oldest and most popular train services in Pakistan, often running a route connecting the city of Rawalpindi with the southern port city of Karachi.

Train accidents are frequent in Pakistan, where railroads have been severely degraded for decades due to corruption, mismanagement and lack of investment. In July, at least 23 people were killed in Punjab province when a passenger ship crashed into a freight train. Accidents often occur at unmanned intersections, lack of barriers and signal lights.

Location of Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab province, Pakistan. Graphics: Google Maps.