A gas tanker explosion killed at least six and injured 33 in Pakistan.

The LPG tanker erupted at the Industrial Estate in the Hamid Pur Kanora area of Multan during the early hours of Monday, January 27.

Dramatic footage captures a massive fireball rising from the devastating scene.

Reports indicate that debris from the destroyed vehicle fell onto nearby residential areas, causing significant damage.

After three hours of intense firefighting efforts involving over 10 vehicles and foam-based fire suppression systems, rescue teams confirmed that the fire had been brought under control.

Khawaja Salman Rafiq, the Punjab Minister of Health, reported that there were 39 casualties, including six deaths, with two women and a young girl among the victims.

Thirteen of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

Authorities confirmed that at least 20 homes near the explosion site were completely destroyed by falling debris, while 70 others sustained damage.

Sadiq Ali, the City Police Officer (CPO) of Multan, explained that the tanker, which was stationed in the Industrial Estate, had been leaking gas from one of its valves.

He added that prior to the explosion, many locals had already evacuated the area after detecting the gas leak.

As a precaution, local gas and electricity supplies were cut off, and search operations were initiated in nearby communities to ensure safety.

The police later revealed that the explosion occurred during the tanker's refilling process and traced the incident to an illegal LPG refilling facility.

The LPG was being transferred from a large gas bowser to smaller ones and commercial cylinders at the facility.

The large gas bowser allegedly contained smuggled LPG, and the explosion destroyed five of the warehouse's gas bowsers, both large and small.

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed his sorrow over the loss of life in the explosion and offered his condolences to the victims' families.

He instructed the relevant authorities to investigate the causes of the tanker explosion and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Multan divisional administration decided to intensify efforts against illegal gas refilling operations.