At least six killed in Attock hospital cylinder blast

ATTOCK: At least six people were killed after a cylinder exploded within the premises of District Headquarters Hospital on Monday evevning.  

More than 12 other people were reported injured in the incident. 

DCO Attock Rana Akber Hayat confirmed that the deaths occurred after a portion of the hospital building collapsed following the blast. 

Rescue services said the cylinder explosion damaged a portion of the woman's ward and multiple people are feared trapped in the rubble. 

According to the police, two of the dead have been identified and two children are among the dead. Police officials added that the cylinder exploded in a three-room building. 

DPO Attock Ibadat Nisar and federal minister Shiekh Aftab reached the area soon after the blast and ordered an inquiry into the blast.

CM forms inquiry committee 

The Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed an inquiry committee to look into the incident.

The committee, headed by the chairman of CM's inspection team, will ascertain causes of collapse of the hospital building.

The secretary for primary healthcare, commissioner and regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi would also be part of the inquiry committee.

It will visit the site of the incident and present a report identifying individuals responsible for the event within 72 hours.

The report will be presented to the chief minister.