At least six people were killed and 20, including women and children, injured as a result of a massive explosion in a fireworks factory near Hussain Agahi Chowk in Multan. The incident happened at around 9.40am when fireworks, being produced in a house in Kabootar Mandi near Hussain Agahi Chowk, exploded, bringing down a nearby three-storied building. As a result, three people present in the house were killed and more than 20 were injured, including women and children. Rescue teams rushed to the site after the explosion and shifted the injured to Nishtar Hospital Multan, where an 18-year-old injured girl, Tayyaba, succumbed to her injuries. CPO Amir Zulfiqar said a case of keeping fireworks had already been registered against the occupants of the house where the explosion occurred. He said the SHO had been suspended for negligence and a departmental enquiry was being initiated against a DSP for criminal negligence. He added that police had taken the owner of the house, Zulfiqar, into custody from Nishtar Hospital in an injured condition. Meanwhile, Punjab IGP Haji Habibur Rehman has taken series notice of the incident and directed the Multan CPO to take action against those responsible for it. The IGP also ordered a crackdown against illegal fireworks factories.
