An explosion in Pakistan’s Punjab province killed at least six people from the same family on Thursday and injured three others, police said.
The incident took place in a house in Kot Addu district, about 400 km from Lahore.
According to the police, Muhammad Iqbal from the area of Daira Deen Panah ran a scrap yard and often kept recyclable materials at home.
Read also: BRICS seize opportunity to counter US with expansion, common currency
“On Thursday morning, a powerful explosion occurred in the pantry of Iqbal’s home, killing him, his wife Haseena, their two minor children and two female relatives on the spot. Three other people were injured and taken to hospital, police said.
They said there was apparently some explosive material stored in the house that went off. “An investigative team led by the local police officer (DPO) has been put together to investigate the case,” said the police.
Read also: China’s economic powerhouse plans more offshore wind energy than the world builds in a year
The bomb squad and intelligence personnel also arrived on the scene and collected evidence.
Acting Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has expressed grief over the loss of life in the blast and has ordered the provincial police chief to thoroughly investigate the matter and submit a report to him within 24 hours.
