At least five people, including a minor girl and two women, lost their lives and 31 others were injured when a gas-filled tanker exploded at an industrial estate in Multan, Pakistan. A massive fire engulfed the site, and debris from damaged vehicles spread to a nearby residential area.
Rescue personnel had controlled the fire after hours of work, using as many as 10 units of firefighters and foam-based fire extinguishing apparatuses. According to City Police Officer, Sadiq Ali, several houses had been burned down and animals had died from the spread of fire in no time. The explosion was said to have occurred due to gas leakage from one of the valve of one of the tankers.
The authorities reported that some people had already left the area before the explosion occurred after noticing the gas leak. Out of the 35 injured, 13 are said to be in critical condition. After the incident, an emergency was declared at Nishtar Hospital where the injured are being treated.
The power and gas supplies in the area have been cut off as a precautionary measure, and the locals have been advised to stay away from the blast site as gas fumes are still in the air. The cause of the leak in the tanker is being investigated while rescue operations continue.