In 73, the number of dead on a train that was caught by fire in Pakistan

It has reached 73 of the dead passengers on a train that was engulfed by fire from the Pakistani town of Karachi to Rawaalpindi.

Minister of Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the fire was caused by the explosion of a gas cylinder used by passengers cooking breakfast.

According to officials quoted in local media, many of the victims died while trying to jump off the burning train.

40 others have been wounded. Officials say the death toll could still increase.

The accident occurred near the town of Rahim Yar Khan in southern Punjab province.

Many passengers were travelers who traveled to Rawind near Lahore for one of Pakistan's largest annual religious congregations, organized by the Muslim missionary movement Suni Tablighi Jamaat.