At least six people were killed and 38 others injured when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker exploded in Multan, Punjab, last night, police said on Monday.
Fire incidents caused by LPG cylinder leaks and explosions routinely occur across the country, and last year an explosion in Hyderabad, Sindh, claimed the lives of 50 people.
Multan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali Bukhari said the explosion occurred due to a fire in the tanker, which was filled with gas, adding that efforts were on to control the fire.
He said 16 firefighting vehicles were present at the scene and more had been called. He further said that Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan and other organizations had also been summoned for the ongoing operation.
The area was sealed and gas and electricity supply was also cut off, DC Bukhari added.
According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Arshad Bhutta, the injured, including women and children, were shifted to Nishtar Hospital.
Several houses collapsed due to the explosion, Bhutta said, adding that around 20 cattle also lost their lives.
DC Bukhari formed a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident and sought a detailed report within 48 hours.
Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan ordered that a list of LPG containers be prepared in the division and imposed a ban on placing LPG containers in Ganjanabad area.
He further said that illegal LPG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling establishments should be raided and those operating without adequate safety measures should be sealed.
Earlier, a man was burnt to death when his house caught fire due to an LPG cylinder explosion in Ghotki district of Sindh.
In May last year, at least 50 people, mostly children, suffered burn injuries in a major explosion at an LPG cylinder filling workshop in Hyderabad. This was followed by similar incidents in Bhitshah and Larkana within two weeks, leading to action against LPG filling establishments.
