At least 16 people were injured, including women and children, after a gas cylinder exploded inside a house in northern Afghanistan's Faryab Province, local authorities said. Seven of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

The explosion occurred in the Faizabad area of Shirin Tagab district, where members of several families had gathered at a residence when the blast took place. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.

All 16 injured were transferred to a hospital in the neighboring Balkh Province for treatment. Local officials said seven victims remained in critical condition, while emergency medical teams continued to monitor the others.

Gas accidents remain a recurring safety risk

Gas cylinders are widely used across Afghanistan for cooking and heating, particularly in areas with limited access to reliable electricity. Safety experts say improper handling, equipment failures and gas leaks continue to cause household accidents in different parts of the country.

Authorities have not announced the exact cause of the explosion, and an investigation into the incident is underway.(ILKHA)