At least 13 people, including two children, suffered severe burn injuries after a gas cylinder exploded at a sweet shop in Burewala on Thursday, rescue officials said.

The explosion occurred at a sweet shop located near Chowk No. 5 after a gas leak triggered a blast, which was followed by a fire.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the explosion was caused when a matchstick was lit during the gas leak.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene after receiving the alert, shifted all injured to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and extinguished the fire.

Officials said the victims sustained burns to their faces and other parts of their bodies, with most suffering burns over nearly 70% of their bodies. The condition of several injured people was reported to be critical.

After receiving initial treatment, all the injured were referred to Nishtar Hospital in Multan because the local hospital lacks a specialised burn unit and has limited medical facilities.

The district administration sealed the shop after the incident and launched an investigation into the explosion.