“10-year-old Child Killed in Explosion at Scrap Yard in Multan: Investigation Underway”

MULTAN: 10-Year-Old Child killed and Three Injured in Explosion at Scrap Yard

A tragic incident occurred on Sunday in Multan, as a 10-year-old child lost his life and three others sustained injuries in a devastating explosion that took place at a scrap yard in Tawakal Town. The incident has left the local community in a state of shock and grief.

Upon receiving immediate information about the incident, the local police contingents and security agencies swiftly reached the crime scene to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance. The lifeless body of the young child was promptly transferred to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination, while the injured victims were rushed to Nishtar Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Authorities are actively collecting evidence from the crime scene to determine the source of the explosives used in this tragic incident. An extensive investigation has been initiated to identify where these dangerous materials were procured.

The scrap yard in question is owned by Muhammad Ali, who also resides on the premises in Tawakal Town. According to the police, the 10-year-old son of Ahmar Ali, named Ahmar Ali, innocently picked up an object resembling a toy from a pile of junk and began playing with it. Tragically, this seemingly harmless item contained explosive materials, which detonated in the child’s hand, causing severe injuries that resulted in the loss of his arm and head. The child tragically lost his life instantly due to the severity of the blast. Additionally, Ahmar Ali’s father, Ali, along with his uncle Arif and sister Mahnoor, also sustained injuries from the explosion.

The police are diligently investigating every aspect of this unfortunate incident. After thoroughly examining the crime scene and gathering crucial evidence, the police and security agencies have completely sealed off the area. Further inquiries are currently underway to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this devastating explosion.

The news of this explosion quickly spread throughout the local community, prompting a significant number of residents to gather at the scene. The powerful blast, which reverberated across the entire area, caused widespread panic and fear among the residents.

This incident is not the first of its kind in the region. In June, another tragic explosion occurred in Kot Addu, claiming the lives of five individuals and injuring three others. The explosion took place inside a house located in the Daira Deen Panah area of Kot Addu. The bodies of the deceased and the injured victims were expeditiously transported to a nearby hospital for necessary medical attention.

A spokesperson for the police stated that the explosion in Kot Addu occurred at a home-based junk shop. Security agencies were dispatched to the scene to ascertain the nature and cause of the explosion. The spokesperson further revealed that the deceased individuals were identified as Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Bilal, Haseena Mai, Shanu Mai, and Sadia Bibi.

In response to this distressing incident, Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar promptly took notice and requested a detailed report from the police officers. The IG has warned of strict legal action to be taken once all the facts surrounding the incident have been thoroughly examined and established.

In another separate incident in Rawalpindi, a teenage boy tragically lost his life, and eight others, including women and children, sustained injuries due to a powerful gas cylinder blast that ripped through a two-storied residential building in the Peoples Colony area. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by gas cylinders and the importance of adhering to strict safety protocols.

Prior to these incidents, the owner of a workshop in Kot Addu met a tragic fate when an oil tanker exploded during a welding operation. The workshop owner, Mohammad Atiq Thahim, was welding the diesel tank of a truck when a sudden and loud explosion occurred. Thahim lost his life instantly, while the truck driver, Abdul Latif Chandia, and two other mechanics, Tanveer (20 years old) and Ali Hassan (14 years old), sustained serious injuries. Prompt action was taken by a rescue team, who rushed the injured victims to the hospital. The police have launched an investigation into this incident to determine the cause of the explosion.

These incidents serve as a somber reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety measures in order to prevent such tragic accidents from occurring. Authorities and law enforcement agencies must continue to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2023.