Gilgit (Pakistan): At least 45 people were killed early on August 3 when explosive material in a Northern Pakistani village caught fire and detonated, police said.

People had rushed to extinguish a fire in a house in Gayal village, 168 kilometres South of Gilgit, without knowing that explosive material was stored inside the building, police said.

While they were fighting the blaze, the material caught fire and exploded, they said.

An official at the police emergency centre in Gilgit said 45 people had been killed.

"The final toll may exceed (this)," he added.

Agencies