Gas cylinder explosion in S. Iran kills 3, injures 4

TEHRAN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and four others injured on Monday after a picnic gas cylinder exploded in a building in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

Firefighters and rescue teams were immediately sent to the scene of the incident after the explosion was reported in the early hours of Monday, IRNA quoted Mohammad-Amin Liaqat, the head of Bandar Abbas Fire and Safety Services Department, as saying.

The building was entirely demolished due to the massive blast and nearby houses were also damaged, he said, adding that it took more than two hours to remove the debris.