MULTAN: An LPG tanker explosion in the Industrial Estate of Multan’s Hamid Pur Kanora area left six people dead and 31 others injured. Rescue officials confirmed the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, triggering a massive fire and widespread destruction.
Debris from the shattered LPG tanker landed on nearby homes, causing significant damage. Rescue teams worked for hours, using over ten firefighting vehicles and foam-based fire suppression systems, to extinguish the flames.
Initially, five fatalities were reported. However, the death toll increased to six after another body was recovered from a damaged house. The deceased included a minor girl and two women, according to rescue authorities.
The explosion destroyed at least 20 houses surrounding the site, while another 70 houses sustained partial damage. Multan’s City Police Officer (CPO), Sadiq Ali, informed the media that the fire also resulted in the loss of livestock.
CPO Ali revealed that the tanker had been leaking gas from one of its valves before the explosion. Several residents in the area evacuated after noticing the gas smell. Despite this, the blast caused widespread destruction. Authorities are continuing evacuation efforts as gas leakage from the tanker persists.
Among the injured, 13 people are reported to be in critical condition. An emergency has been declared at Nishtar Hospital, where the injured are receiving treatment. Search operations continue in nearby areas to ensure safety, and electricity and gas supply to the affected zone has been suspended. However, Multan-Muzaffargarh Road has been reopened for traffic.
Authorities have advised residents to stay away from the blast site due to lingering gas in the air.
Later investigations revealed that the explosion occurred at an illegal LPG refilling warehouse. Police stated that the tanker was transferring smuggled gas from a large bowser to smaller bowsers and cylinders during refilling operations. The explosion destroyed five small and large gas bowsers present at the warehouse.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of illegal LPG storage and handling, as the search for missing individuals and recovery efforts continue.
