Gas cylinder explosion kills 9 in Pakistan

Islamabad: Nine people were killed and three others injured when the gas cylinder of a passenger van exploded in Gujranwala district of Pakistan's east Punjab province on Sunday night, local media reported.

The van caught fire following the explosion, killing five people at the spot while four others succumbed to injuries in hospital, the report said.

The injured people were also shifted to a hospital where their condition is said to be critical, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Firefighters rushed to the site to douse the fire and recovered the bodies of the dead.

Vehicles in Punjab are allowed to run on gas cylinders, but the poorly maintained old vehicles often pose a danger for the passengers.