At least nine dead in Lahore, Pakistan, building explosion

Feb. 23 (UPI) — At least nine people died in an explosion Thursday in a building under construction in Lahore, Pakistan, officials said.

The blast injured up to 35 more people, a rescue official said.

While initial reports from Punjab government authorities blamed a generator explosion, a police spokesman said the explosion was caused by a bomb. A spokesman for Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department said the damage “seems to have been made by some explosives.” Pakistani media said two explosions were heard, India Today reported.

The incident occurred on a busy street in an upscale area of restaurants and shops known as the Defense Y block.

“The injuries are severe. The magnitude of the blast, the impact, is very high. One story collapsed and people were crushed underneath,” the rescue official said.

Cities across Pakistan were put on alert after the incident, which came the day after the government announced a massive urban counter-terrorism program. More than 100 people died in several cities in terrorist bombings last week.

Rana Sanullah, Punjab law minister, said of Thursday’s incident in Lahore, “There was no reason to target the building. I have been informed that plaza was not inaugurated [opened] yet.”