Three children die as cylinder blast collapses house roof in Peshawar

Three young children died after a gas cylinder explosion collapsed the roof of a house in Peshawar, according to reports from 24 News, The Express Tribune and Daily Pakistan Urdu. The incident took place near Pajagi Road, in Mohallah Khan Khel.

Five people were pulled from the rubble with injuries and taken to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim said five injured people were shifted to the hospital. He said: "Three children succumbed to their injuries."

A woman and another child are still under treatment at the hospital. Daily Pakistan Urdu described the five as seriously injured, made up of one woman and four children who were trapped under the debris.

According to Daily Pakistan Urdu, the explosion was caused by a gas leak at the house the previous night. Reports differ on the timing: 24 News said the roof collapsed on Thursday morning, while The Express Tribune also placed the explosion on Thursday. The reports do not give an official cause.

Rescue 1122 personnel carried out the operation to recover the dead and the injured from the rubble, 24 News reported. Local residents are in mourning over the deaths.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep grief over the deaths. In a statement, according to Daily Pakistan Urdu, he said the loss of innocent children's precious lives was "extremely unfortunate and painful", and he expressed sympathy with the affected family.

The Express Tribune also recalled earlier cylinder incidents. On 16 July at least 10 people suffered severe burns when a cylinder exploded at a sweets and fast food shop near Chungi No 5 in Burewala. On 19 February at least 16 people were killed and 13 injured when a cylinder blast collapsed a residential roof in Gul Rana Colony, Soldier Bazaar, Karachi, according to a Rescue 1122 (Sindh) spokesperson.