Gas plant explosion in Afghanistan, nearly 30 casualties

Photo for illustration purposes only. (Source: AP)

On August 25, Afghan officials said at least 11 people were killed and 18 others injured in a fire and explosion at a gas plant in Herat city, the capital of Herat province, western Afghanistan.

According to local police, the accident occurred on the evening of August 24 when a gas truck exploded near a complex at a gas supply plant in the northern part of Herat city, after which there were at least 10 consecutive explosions. The death toll may continue to rise as the explosion destroyed much of the surrounding areas.

Most of the dead were children living in a slum about 640km west of the capital Kabul.

There has been no official statement on the cause of the accident. However, sources have ruled out terrorism and said the fire may have been caused by the factory's lack of safety standards.

According to VNA