Safety hazard: Two killed, two injured in explosion on Ring Road

Godown where the blast occurred was being used to illegally store military scrap.

PESHAWAR: Two labourers were killed and as many children injured when an explosion occurred in a godown at Jamil Chowk, Ring Road on Tuesday.

The godown, situated close to a terminal of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was being used to illegally store military scrap, including mortar shells.



The police said Asad Khan and Misal Khan were working inside the building when the powerful blast ripped through the vicinity. Both men were critically injured while two children, Bilal and Arif, were also wounded. All four were rushed to the hospital where Asad and Misal succumbed to their injuries. The children are also said to be in critical condition.

The blast destroyed the boundary wall of the building and also damaged nearby houses.

The godown is owned by Shahid, a resident of Hazar Khawani. Residents blamed him of paying monthly bribes to the police to run an illegal business. People in the neighbourhood said they objected to storing explosive material in a residential area, but Shahid continued his business unabated.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2013.