At least five individuals lost their lives and 31 sustained injuries following the explosion of a gas-filled tanker at an industrial estate in Multan, Pakistan.
As reported by Geo News, among the deceased were a young girl and two women. The explosion ignited a significant fire, with debris from damaged vehicles scattering into a nearby residential area.
Rescue officials informed the Pakistani news outlet that the fire was brought under control after several hours of intensive efforts. A minimum of 10 firefighting vehicles, along with foam-based fire suppression systems, were deployed to manage the situation.
In addition, Multan’s City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali reported to Geo News that numerous homes were destroyed and livestock were lost due to the rapidly spreading flames. He indicated that the gas leak originated from a valve on the tanker truck, which was stationed within the industrial estate.
Authorities confirmed that some individuals in the vicinity had been evacuated after detecting the gas odor prior to the explosion. The CPO also stated that out of the 35 injured, 13 are in critical condition.
Following the explosion, the District Emergency Officer announced that an emergency had been declared at Nishtar Hospital, where the injured are currently receiving medical attention. According to Geo News, search operations are underway in the surrounding areas to ensure the safety of nearby residents.
As a precautionary measure, electricity and gas supplies in the vicinity have been temporarily suspended. Residents have been advised to avoid the blast site, as gas from the exploded tanker remains in the atmosphere. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the leak as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
