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FAISALABAD, Nov 21 (APP):At least 14 people, including women, children, and factory workers, were killed and seven others injured following a gas explosion at a chemical factory near Shahab Town Kabaddi Ground, Malikpur, in the Mansoorabad police station area on Friday morning. The victims included six children, aged between 1 and 13 years.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and requested a detailed report from Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar.
Rescue-1122 officials reported that the explosion was so powerful it caused several nearby homes to collapse. The district administration, including police and Rescue-1122 teams, responded quickly and launched a rescue operation at the scene.
A total of 21 people, including women and children, were pulled from the debris. Of these, 10 were confirmed dead at the scene, and four others later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The rescue operation was supervised by District Emergency Officer Engr Ihtesham Wahla.
The explosion occurred at a Samad Bond manufacturing factory, affecting at least nine nearby homes. Among the deceased were three factory workers, while the others were local residents.
The deceased were identified as — Fakhira Bibi wife of Riasat (40), Janat d/o Riasat (3), Ali Husnain s/o Riasat (1), Muhammad Irfan s/o Muhammad Shafi (40), Muhammad Rehan s/o Muhammad Irfan (12), Muhammad Ubaid s/o Muhammad Ashiq (22), Muhammad Shafique (62), Muhammad Ahmed s/o Abdul Rehman (10), Azan s/o Abdul Rehman (4), Muqadas d/o Irfan (13), Maqsooda Bibi wife of Muhammad Shafique (62), Ashiq Hussain s/o Muhammad Saleem (50), Muhammad Bilal s/o Ashiq Hussain (24), and Umar s/o Ashiq Hussain (22).
The injured included Rifat wife of Irfan (32), Yousan s/o Munshi (65), Moazam s/o Azam (17), Liaqat Ali s/o Iqbal (55), Ahsan s/o Arshad (30), Nadeem (16) and Arshad Akram (15).
Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar and Deputy Commissioner Cap (Retd) Nadeem Nasir confirmed that the explosion was caused by a gas leak at the factory. They assured that the injured were receiving medical treatment, and the rescue operation was nearly complete, with the cooling process underway.
The commissioner also announced that a five-member committee would be formed to investigate the incident’s cause. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her condolences to the families of the victims, sharing in their grief.