Two killed, eight injured in building collapse

Two persons died and eight suffered injuries when a four-story building collapsed after fire crackers exploded in a factory on Sunday morning near Ganj Mandi police station, DPO Rawalpindi Saud Aziz told APP.

Earlier the police in its initial reports had mentioned seven casualties in the explosion but later they revised the number saying that some critically injured persons were considered dead in the tragic incident.

The explosion occurred in ground floor of ‘Rashid Manzal’ a four-story building and abode to 16 people, at around 0930 hours. Owing to huge explosion the entire building collapsed and it also considerably damaged the adjacent buildings.

Shah Rukh and Ameerzada have been reported killed while 8 injured include Ziarat Gul, Bukhat Muneer, Rubeena, Suni, Alam Zaib, Ezat Khan, Jahangir and Mustan Shah. They were rushed to the nearby hospitals for necessary treatment.

The police have arrested one Jafir, the owner of fire crackers. Sources said that fire crackers were imported and stored in Rashid Manzal prior to their sale to the local market.