Massive gas tanker explosion kills 6, injures at least 33 in Multan

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Multan: At least six people were killed and 33 others were injured when a gas -filled tanker exploded in an industrial state in Multan.

The explosion in the LPG tanker resulted in a massive fire, debris from a car scattered on nearby residential areas, causing significant devastation.

Rescue officials said the fire was extinguished after several hours of effort, which included more than ten firefighting vehicles and foam -based fires.

Initially, it was reported that initially the deadly blast was lost. However, rescue officials recovered another body from the blast of the blast.

Punjab Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafiq said that a total of 39 casualties, including six deaths, were reported. The deceased included a minor girl and two women.

According to police, at least 20 houses around the blast site were completely reduced in the rubble, while 70 were partially damaged.

Multan City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali told Geo News that several houses had been destroyed and cattle were killed in the fire.

He revealed that gas was coming out of a tanker truck valve standing in the industrial state. He added that some people in the area had already evacuated after the tanker smelled before the tanker exploded.

CPO Ali added that gas leakage from the tanker is maintained, which has indicated that authorities should evacuate the area. 13 of the injured have been reported that their condition is critical.

The District Emergency Officer confirmed that an emergency has been announced at Nishtar Hospital, where the injured are being treated. Search work was started in adjoining areas to ensure security, while electricity and gas supply were suspended as a precautionary measure in the area. Multan Muzaffargarh Road was later reopened for traffic.

Meanwhile, locals were advised to stay away from the blast site, as the gas was still in the air with the torn tanker.

Later, the police revealed that the location of the incident was identified as an illegal LPG refilling warehouse, and that the explosion took place during a refilling operation. He explained that LPG was being transferred from a large gas boss to small boosters and commercial cylinders on the site.

Police added that the big gas baosar allegedly picked up smuggling LPG. He added that the five small and large gas baosar in the warehouse were destroyed in the blast.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the blast and prayed for his family’s forgiveness and patience. He directed the concerned authorities to investigate the reasons behind the tanker blast and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, Multan Divisional Administration decided to start crackdown on illegal gas refilling sites.

Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan said that the site was completely sealed, as gas leakage from one of the baarsar at the blast is still underway. He directed the officials to prepare a list of LPG containers in the division and ban the presence of gas tankers in heavy crowded areas.

He also directed the teams to raid illegal CNG and LPG refilling shops and seal the workers without proper goods. The commissioner ordered registration of cases against those involved in the fitness inspection of school and passenger buses and those involved in illegal gas refilling operations.

Later, the Multan Deputy Commissioner constituted an inquiry committee, which submitted the task of submitting a report about the incident within 48 hours. He said the district administration would take drastic measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The entry of LPG container trucks has been banned in residential areas, the official added.

After further updates, rescue and recovery work will progress.