A gas explosion left eight people dead and 20 others injured in a scrap metal godown in Misri Shah on Thursday. The dead were identified as Muhammad Saleem, Rashid, Abdul Gafoor, Awais, Khalil and godown owner Raja Amir. The bodies of two others are beyond recognition. The injured were Sherin, Fiaz, Shujahat, Shahid, Asghar, Humayum and Shazad.
Officials believe the death-count could climb later. The godown of the Ellahi where workers were cutting heavy iron sheets with LPG gas was rocked by the explosion occurred after a flame fell on a gas cylinder. Law enforcers and police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. Rescue workers took the injured to hospitals.