Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar express sympathy for victims of train fire that killed 71

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi took to their official Twitter handle to express commiseration to the tragic train fire in Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan district that reportedly claimed the lives of 71 people.

"Such a painful news about Tezgam train burning incident. My heart cries for everyone who lost their loved ones in this. May Allah give speedy recovery to all the people who are injured/burnt at any level." Shoaib Akhtar tweeted. "People responsible for this should be taken to task without leniency," he added.

Former all-rounder Afridi also tweeted stating that he prayed for the departed souls of those killed in the accident. "May Allah bless the survivors. Amen," he added in his Tweet, which was in Urdu.

The Tezgam is one of Pakistan’s oldest and most reputed train service, which operates between the south port of Karachi to Rawalpindi.

According to the reports, the fire was caused because of gas cylinder explosion that took place while some travellers were cooking their food.

Most of the passengers travelling were religious pilgrims, who were heading to the eastern city of Lahore.

As soon as the accident was reported, firefighters were rushed to the spot near Rahim Yar Khan district, which is a rural area in Punjab province. Putting off the fire. Rescue workers and the army could be seen, as bodies were carried away covered in white sheets.

"Deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy... My condolences go to the victim's families & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted after the accident.

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