Gas cylinder explosion injures four

Civil Defence Department launches operation against locally-made cylinders

RAWALPINDI:

At least two women and two men were severely injured in a gas cylinder explosion on Friday in Tahli Mohri Chowk, a densely populated area of the Rawalpindi Cantonment.

The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital Rawalpindi for treatment where they were stated to be out of danger.

The wounded were identified as 40-year-old Chand Bibi and 35-year-old Nargis Bibi, and Qalandar and Bahram Khan who also suffered minor burn injuries.

Immediately after the incident, the Civil Defence Department (CDD) launched a major operation against locally-made and poor-quality cylinders. During the operation, the teams seized 22 such cylinders, sealed five shops, and issued show-cause notices to 19 illegal gas filling agencies.

CDD District Officer (DO) Talib Hussain told The Express Tribune that as soon as winter had started, the mafia started selling poor-quality cylinders at overwhelmingly cheap prices. Poor families buy them as their costs are affordable, but they remain dangerous for those using them, he said.

He said that teams have been constituted to take action against those selling defective cylinders, and if found in any shop, will be confiscated immediately. Cases will also be registered against those found selling them.

The official said that operation against faulty cylinders is also being launched in 6 other tehsils of the district, including Rawalpindi city, Murree, Kotli Satyan Kahuta, Klar Syedan, Gujar Khan, Taxila.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2021.