ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- At least six people were killed and 38 others received injuries when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker exploded in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province on Monday, said officials.
Multan Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Bukhari, said in a statement that the explosion occurred due to a fire in the tanker in Punjab's Multan city, which was full of gas. A large number of firefighting vehicles reached the site of the incident. "The area had been sealed while the gas and electricity supply had also been stopped," Bukhari. Several houses nearby also collapsed due to the strong explosion. The injured, including women and children, were shifted to the nearest government-run Nishtar hospital. He confirmed that six people lost their lives while 38 others got injured and around 20 cattle were dead as well. A high-level inquiry committee is formed to in vestigate the incident to seek a detailed report over the incident.
Expressing sorrow over the deaths and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in statements, commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls. They also directed authorities to find out the cause of the explosion and prevent such incidents in the future. (end) sbk.hb