Blast in eastern Pakistan kills 16, injures 70
ISLAMABAD. July 13. KAZINFORM A blast occurred on Monday in an eastern Pakistani village killed at least 16 people including seven children and injured 70 others, local TV reported; Kazinform cites China View.
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has ordered immediate investigation of the blast, the reports said.
About 100 houses have been completely destroyed in the explosion near Mian Channu, a city in eastern Pakistan's Punjab province, eyewitnesses said. Reports said about half of the village have been affected by the blast and many houses are caving-in, trapping more people inside.
Mian Channu is not far from the Punjab capital of Lahore, whichhas been a target of several militant attacks in recent months. The biggest attacks have targeted the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team in March, leaving seven people including five policemen dead and six Sri Lankan players injured.
Reports said the blast occurred at the house of a school teacher where 40 to 50 students were studying, leaving most of the children still missing. It said there was no sign of suicide attack.
Local police said the blast was very loud and it caused a 40-foot wide and 8-foot deep crater at the ground. A witness said the explosion lasted for 15 minutes.
The locals said the rescue team reached spot more than one hour late. TV reports said several bodies and about 50 injured have been taken to a nearby hospital; Kazinform refers to China View.
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