Gas cylinder blast in Mardan; 6 died, 2 injured

A deadly gas cylinder explosion ripped through a two-storey house in Aram Colony, Mardan, causing the roof to collapse and resulting in the death of six individuals, including children and women, while two young girls were critically injured, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Saturday.

According to the report, Rescue 1122 dispatched disaster response units, firefighters, and medical teams to the scene after receiving an emergency call about the blast. 

The explosion completely destroyed the roof of the house, trapping residents under the rubble.

Rescue workers, battling debris and time, pulled eight individuals from beneath the wreckage. 

Tragically, six were pronounced dead, while two girls sustained serious injuries and were immediately rushed to MMC Hospital.

The deceased include 36-year-old Fawad (son of Amjad), his wife, 7-year-old son Rayyan, 4-year-old daughter Ayeza, 25-year-old Shah Fahad (son of Amjad), and 8-year-old Tooba (daughter of Jawad). 

The injured are 5-year-old Ayesha (daughter of Fawad) and 5-year-old Dua (daughter of Jawad).

Mardan’s Deputy Commissioner Azmatullah Wazir, District Emergency Officer Syed Shoaib Mansoor, and Assistant Commissioner Junaid Khalid were present at the site, supervising the intense rescue operation.

Over 100 personnel from Rescue 1122 participated in the operation, which lasted seven hours. All deceased and injured victims were shifted to the MMC Hospital for medical treatment and legal procedures.

It is pertinent to mention that a similar tragedy struck Mardan in October 2024, when the roof of a house collapsed, killing three people, including two teenage girls, and injuring one more. 

Reporter: Manzoor Hussain