MINGORA, July 9: Four children were killed and more than 20 people injured after a gas cylinder exploded at Labour Colony in Panr area near Mingora city on Monday night.

According to police, a cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas went off at the shop in Labour Colony killing children Abid and Sadia and injuring 23 people, mostly women and children.

The blast left a house and two shops completely destroyed and some partially damaged. The injured were shifted to Saidu Sharif Hospital from where those in critical condition were shifted to Peshawar.

Two more children, Kashmala and Ruqayya, succumbed to injuries in a Peshawar hospital.

Condition of some of the injured was stated to be critical.

After the blast, the local administration began a crackdown on illegal decanting of LPG cylinders in Mingora city, fined around Rs50,000 to 14 shopkeepers for the illegal activity and issued notices to eight others.

Also in the day, University of Swat announced summer vocations, which will begin on July 13. According to a news release, the academic departments of the university will remain closed until August 31, 2013.

However, all offices, including the controller of the examination office, will remain open during summer vacations. —Correspondent