MULTAN, May 15: Two children died and three others injured, besides as many adults, when an ammonia gas cylinder exploded at an ice factory at Mehmoodkot, Muzaffargarh, on Sunday. Muzaffargarh police told APP the owner of the Baloch Ice Factory had arranged Quran Khwani where many children were present when the cylinder exploded. Two children died on the spot and six others hurt.

The residents of the locality were compelled to leave their houses as the spread of gas caused breathing problems.

A team of the Pak-Arab Fertilizers Factory was also called by the administration to stop the gas leakage.

A police official said the team, equipped with gas masks and other tools was called as the district administration lacked facilities to deal with such situations.

The official added that the victims were of 12-14 year age.

The injured also included two labourers and the 36-year-old factory owner, besides three boys under 15 years, who had been referred to the Nishter Hospital.

A doctor at Nishtar Hospital said that three injured, including Ramzan (20), Asif (14) and Hameed (21), had been admitted there. Two of the injured were being given oxygen direct to their lungs after their throats developed inflammation due to the gas, the doctor said, adding that they all were out of danger.