Gas Tanker Explosion in Balochistan Injures 35, Four in Critical Condition

At least 35 people were injured in a massive fire at a customs warehouse in the Mastung area of Balochistan, Pakistan, with four reported in critical condition. The incident occurred on Sunday in the Lakpas area along the Quetta-Karachi highway, followed by an explosion of a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

According to the newspaper Daan, the fire initially broke out in a customs confiscated goods warehouse and then spread to parked trucks and tankers carrying flammable materials. The rapid expansion of the fire led to significant damage to parts of the facilities and commercial goods.

Abdul Haq Achakzai, head of the Quetta Fire Department, stated that the intensity of the fire was very high, and the presence of several gas and oil tankers made containment efforts challenging. Officials said the LPG tanker explosion caused widespread damage, with goods worth billions of rupees consumed by the flames.

All the injured were transferred to hospitals in Quetta, and local authorities declared a state of emergency in all government hospitals. Additionally, traffic on the National Highway Quetta-Karachi was temporarily suspended due to the risk of the fire spreading further.

The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, with officials stating that investigations to determine how the incident occurred are ongoing.