A tragic incident occurred in Bahria Town Phase 7, Rawalpindi, where a cylinder explosion at a Chinese restaurant, resulted in the death of two people and left four others injured, The Nation reported.
The blast occurred in the kitchen during the early hours of Tuesday, causing significant harm.
#Rawalpindi: Cylinder blast in YUMTO building next to Asian Wok #BahriaTown. Blast has caused massive damage to the building & nearby restaurants. Reports of 5 dead. More updates to follow. #ChampAlertsOnTheGo #CAOTG https://t.co/BooI0ZKE9w pic.twitter.com/aCBUrOqdOl
— Shaheryar Hassan (@shaheryarhassan) July 25, 2023
The explosion was so powerful that it claimed the lives of two individuals on the spot due to critical injuries. The four injured victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
What Caused the Explosion?
Initially, it was unclear what caused the blast, but reports till now suggest a wall collapsed and fell onto the LPG cylinders.
The restaurant’s owner stated that the incident was triggered by the collapse of a retaining wall at the back of a neighboring restaurant, which fell onto Yumto’s LPG cylinders, leading to the massive explosion.
Upon receiving news of the blast, the police and volunteers from various welfare organizations arrived at the scene promptly to provide assistance. They facilitated the transfer of the victims to the hospital for medical procedures and treatment.
The deceased were identified as Irshad (23) and Israr (50), and the injured individuals were named Abbas Ali, Shamoon, Nauman, and Navid, all of whom suffered severe burn injuries.
Rescue 1122 was responsible for moving the bodies and the injured persons to the hospital. Additionally, law enforcement officers, including the police, also reached the site to investigate the incident further.
It was revealed that gas cylinders were stored in the kitchen of the restaurant, and the powerful blast caused damage to numerous cars and buildings in the vicinity.
Shaheryar Hassan, who reported the incident on Twitter, highlighted the severity of the blast, which resulted in casualties and property damage in nearby areas.
As a result of the collapse of the wall and the subsequent explosion, both Yumto and Asian Wok, along with other nearby restaurants, suffered extensive damage.
Concerns Over Safety Standards
The incident has had a profound impact on the community, raising concerns about safety standards and the handling of hazardous materials in public spaces. However, local authorities are yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
The residents of Bahria Town are mourning the loss of lives and are in a state of shock. They anxiously await further updates and hope for the swift recovery of the injured individuals.
Additionally, in the aftermath of the Centaurus Fire, authorities have decided to audit all high-rise buildings in Islamabad for fire safety under the CDA (Capital Development Authority).
