At least seven children were killed and 22 others injured in a gas cylinder explosion inside a house in Balochistan’s Chaman city on Thursday, officials said.

The tragic incident occurred in the Killi Mahmoodabad area, where a gas cylinder exploded inside a residential house, causing a room to collapse and trapping several people under the debris.

Rescue officials said seven children died after being buried under the rubble, while the injured included five women and eight children.

Security forces cordoned off the area following the explosion as rescue teams launched relief operations, retrieving bodies and injured persons from the debris and shifting them to the Civil Hospital in Chaman.

After receiving initial medical treatment, critically injured victims were referred to Quetta due to the severity of their conditions. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as several injured remain in critical condition.

Police said children had gathered at the house to buy lassi for Iftar when the explosion occurred.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, particularly children, and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

He prayed for the departed souls and the swift recovery of the injured, directing authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment.

The president also stressed the need for an effective regulatory system to prevent such incidents in the future.