KARACHI: Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed and two others injured as a van caught fire after explosion near Confucius Institute at University of Karachi on Tuesday.

According to a report, Chinese teachers were coming from hostel to the Department of Confucius Studies in a van when the blast took place. The van caught after the explosion near the Confucius Institute, a non-profit institute teaching Chinese language to local pupils. As a result, four people, including three Chinese, were killed and two others injured.

Three Chinese victims were identified as Confucius Institute Director Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, and Chen Sa while a Pakistani national, driver Khalid, was also among the dead. The injured were Wang Yuqing and Hamid. The explosion took place at the van’s right side. Police and rescue officials rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to a local hospital.

The Sindh chief minister has taken a notice of the incident and directed the authorities to conduct rescue operation and ensure probe into the incident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed concern over the blast. He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured.