QUETTA, Sept 9: Two people were killed and another injured in an explosion purportedly caused by an oxygen cylinder at the coastal town of Somiani, about 640km from here, on Thursday.

The blast at the Burida camp was caused by a gas cylinder, a senior officer of Winder police said. However, some sources said it was a bomb explosion. "Both the blast victims, who were senior officers of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), died on the spot," police officials said, adding that the injured was rushed to Karachi and admitted to a private hospital.

According to sources, Suparco officials were working at the site of the camp when the cylinder exploded. oon after the blast, senior officials of police and other agencies reached the site and started investigations. However, no details were available.

"Investigations are under way to ascertain the causes of explosion," official sources told Dawn when contacted by telephone. The deceased were identified as Moinuddin, manager in Suparco, and Mohammad Kashif. The injured was identified as Javed, also an employee of the state-run organization.