Web Desk: Five Pakistani workers were killed after a gas cylinder exploded in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, prompting Pakistani diplomatic officials to coordinate with local authorities over legal formalities and the victims’ final arrangements.
The explosion occurred in the Manfuhah district of Riyadh, according to initial reports.
Preliminary information indicates that all five victims were from Pakistan’s northwestern district of Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The deceased have been identified as Muhammad Saeed, Abid Hussain, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Safeer and Muhammad Rustam.
Officials at the Pakistani Embassy in Saudi Arabia are in contact with Saudi police and other relevant authorities following the incident.
Diplomatic officials said the necessary legal procedures are being completed before a decision is made on whether the victims will be buried in Saudi Arabia or their remains will be repatriated to Pakistan, in accordance with the wishes of their families and applicable regulations.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, where hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis work across various sectors.
Family members of the deceased have been left grieving as they await further updates on the completion of official procedures and the return or burial of their loved ones.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the cause of the explosion, and investigations into the incident are expected to continue.
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