ISLAMABAD, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and eight others injured in a factory explosion in Pakistan's southern city of Sukkur on Tuesday, police said.
Feroz Shah, deputy inspector general of police of Sukkur, said that the explosion occurred when Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of police was diffusing explosives in a cement factory in Sukkur, which killed five people, including two BDS personnel and a Rangers' official and left eight others injured.
"The deceased persons were busy with diffusing explosives present in the factory when the blast took place. The injured include at least six Rangers personnel, a factory manager, and a staffer," said Shah.
The cause of the explosion is not known yet, said the police officer, adding that they are trying to determine whether it was due to the explosives planted by some miscreants or just happened during BDS work.
Rescue teams and security forces rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies and injured to the Sukkur Civil Hospital.
The law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area for further investigation.
Syed Murad Ali Shah, chief minister of the country's southern Sindh province, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the precious lives and sympathized with the bereaved families.
The chief minister has also sought a detailed inquiry report from the concerned authorities about the incident.
