Deadly LPG Tanker Explosion in Punjab, Pakistan Claims Six Lives

In a tragic incident in Quetta, Pakistan, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly shot and killed by her father due to her presence on the social media platform TikTok. According to a police spokesperson, the father found the contents of her videos to be "indecent." Following the act, law enforcement has confirmed the suspect's arrest and is searching for a relative who may have been involved. The family had recently returned to Pakistan after living in the United States, where the victim was born. Tensions had reportedly arisen within the family prior to the murder, stemming from the teenager's online activities. Violence in the name of "honor" is a prevalent issue in Pakistan, a patriarchal society with over 240 million inhabitants. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimates that around 1,000 such cases occur annually, often with perpetrators escaping justice. This incident echoes the 2016 case of Qandeel Baloch, an influencer murdered by her brother for advocating women's rights and criticizing female oppression. Following Baloch's death, the government increased penalties for honor-related killings.

A devastating explosion involving a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker occurred in the Hamid Pur Kanora area of Multan’s Industrial Estate, Pakistan, on January 27, 2025. The blast resulted in the death of at least six individuals, including a minor girl and two women, while 31 others sustained injuries, with 13 reported to be in critical condition. The explosion not only caused fatalities but also triggered a massive fire, damaging approximately 20 houses beyond repair and partially affecting around 70 others. Significant debris from the tanker landed in nearby residential areas, exacerbating the destruction. Local authorities revealed that gas was reportedly leaking from a valve of the tanker prior to the explosion. Some residents had started to evacuate upon detecting the gas odor. The City Police Officer, Sadiq Ali, indicated that an illegal LPG refilling operation was taking place at the site, which contributed to the disaster. The subsequent firefighting efforts involved over ten vehicles and foam-based suppression methods. An emergency has been declared at Nishtar Hospital to accommodate the injured, and electricity and gas supply to the area have been suspended as a safety precaution. Local residents are advised to maintain distance from the explosion site due to lingering gas fumes. Emergency response teams are continuing search operations in nearby areas to ensure community safety.

A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker exploded in an industrial area of Multan, Punjab, on January 27, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals, including a minor girl. The explosion also left 31 people injured, some critically. The incident occurred at the Industrial Estate in the Hamid Pur Kanora area. Rescue teams reported a massive fire following the explosion, with debris damaging surrounding residential areas. Initially, five fatalities were confirmed, but the death toll rose to six after a body was recovered from a nearby destroyed home. Local officials reported significant damage, citing that approximately 20 houses were completely destroyed and another 70 suffered partial damage. The fire was extinguished after several hours of efforts involving over ten firefighting vehicles equipped with foam-based suppression systems. Reports indicate that gas was leaking from one of the tanker valves prior to the explosion, prompting evacuations in the area. However, leakage from the tanker continued, and area residents were advised to remain away due to safety concerns. The police identified the location as an illegal LPG refilling warehouse where the explosion took place during the transfer of gas from a large tanker to smaller tanks and cylinders. The authorities stated that the large tanker was allegedly carrying smuggled LPG, and multiple other tankers were destroyed in the blast. An emergency has been declared at Nishtar Hospital for the injured, and precautionary measures, including the suspension of electricity and gas supply, are in effect. Investigations and safety checks are ongoing in the vicinity.