HARIPUR: At least eight people were killed and several others injured after a gas pipeline explosion triggered a major fire in the Hattar Industrial Estate on Thursday, officials said.
The blast, reportedly caused by a gas leak in a pipeline operated by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, set off a powerful explosion that ignited a large fire visible from a considerable distance.
The flames quickly spread to a nearby slum settlement, engulfing several homes and trapping residents inside.
Casualties and injuries
Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed said eight people lost their lives in the incident, while at least five others sustained injuries.
According to officials, the deceased belonged to the same family and included three children, two girls, two elderly women and one adult man.
Rescue teams managed to pull six people out alive during the operation, and authorities later confirmed that no one remained trapped under the debris.
Rescue efforts
Emergency teams launched a large-scale rescue operation after the explosion. Fire brigades and rescue personnel from several nearby districts, including Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Wah Cantt and Taxila rushed to the site.
The operation was led by Rescue 1122, with firefighters battling the blaze for several hours.
Senior officials, including Medical Superintendent Dr Munawar Afridi, District Police Officer Shafiullah Gund and Assistant Commissioner Fasih Ishaq Abbasi, supervised the rescue efforts at the scene.
Fire brought under control
Authorities shut down the main gas pipeline valve to contain the blaze. However, high pressure in the pipeline meant it took nearly two hours for the flames to subside.
By around 9:00pm, the gas pressure had significantly reduced, allowing firefighters to fully bring the fire under control.
Three bodies were shifted to the Haripur Trauma Center, while five others were taken to the Rural Health Center Kot Najibullah.
The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.