Eight killed as gas pipeline explodes in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR: At least eight people -- including a woman and a young girl -- died in a gas pipeline explosion at an industrial estate in Pakistan's northwestern province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, a Rescue 1122 official said.

The incident occurred in Hattar Industrial Estate area of Haripur district.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, the explosion happened near a grinding mill along the Grand Trunk Road, where a powerful blast in the gas pipeline triggered a massive fire.

It also set a nearby house ablaze, intensifying the damage and complicating rescue efforts.

The district police officer of Haripur said at least four women and six children have been saved so far, while the fire continued to spread rapidly.

Several women and children sustained severe burn injuries, and emergency teams are continuing rescue operations as they work to bring the blaze under control.

Haripur Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed said the deaths appeared to have been caused mainly by suffocation.