Gas-filled tanker explosion kills six, injures 33 in Pakistan

A gas-filled tanker has exploded in the Hamid Pur Kanora area of Multan's Industrial Estate in Pakistan, resulting in six deaths and 33 injuries.

The LPG tanker explosion, which occurred early on January 27, sparked a massive fire, with debris from the vehicle scattering across nearby residential areas, causing extensive damage, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Rescue teams managed to extinguish the fire after hours of effort, involving more than ten firefighting vehicles and foam-based fire suppression techniques. Initially, five fatalities were reported, but the death toll increased to six when rescue teams discovered an additional body in a house damaged by the explosion. 

Punjab's Health Minister, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, confirmed that there had been 39 casualties, including six fatalities, which comprised a young girl and two women. Police reported that around 20 houses near the explosion site were completely destroyed, while 70 others were partially damaged. Multan's City Police Officer (CPO), Sadiq Ali, told Geo News that the blast caused severe destruction, with several houses leveled and livestock killed in the fire. 

CPO Ali revealed that gas had been leaking from one of the valves of the tanker truck parked in the Industrial Estate. Some individuals in the area had already evacuated after detecting the gas smell before the tanker exploded. Ali further explained that the gas leak continued, prompting authorities to evacuate the area. Of the injured, 13 were reported to be in critical condition. 

The District Emergency Officer confirmed that an emergency had been declared at Nishtar Hospital, where the injured were being treated. Search operations were also initiated in surrounding areas for safety, while power and gas supplies were cut off as a precautionary measure. The Multan-Muzaffargarh Road was eventually reopened for traffic. 

Local residents were urged to avoid the blast site, as gas from the exploded tanker remained in the air. Later, authorities revealed that the explosion took place at an illegal LPG refilling warehouse, where the incident occurred during refilling activities. They explained that LPG was being transferred from a large gas bowser to smaller ones and commercial cylinders at the site. The police further reported that the large gas bowser was allegedly carrying smuggled LPG. Five small and large gas bowsers at the warehouse were destroyed in the explosion. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences over the loss of life in the explosion, offering prayers for the deceased and their families. He instructed the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the explosion and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In response, the Multan divisional administration decided to crack down on illegal gas refilling stations. Commissioner Amir Karim Khan stated that the site had been fully sealed off as gas leakage from one of the bowsers was still ongoing. 

He directed officials to compile a list of LPG containers in the division and imposed a ban on gas tankers in densely populated areas. Additionally, he instructed teams to raid illegal CNG and LPG refilling shops, sealing those operating without proper equipment. The commissioner also ordered fitness inspections for school and passenger buses and the filing of cases against those involved in illegal gas refilling operations. 

The Multan deputy commissioner later formed an inquiry committee, tasked with submitting a report on the incident within 48 hours. He emphasized that the district administration would take strict actions to prevent future incidents. He also noted that LPG container trucks would no longer be allowed to enter residential areas.

By Naila Huseynova