A balloon hawker was killed and at least five others including children are injured today after a gas cylinder exploded in a fair in Boalkhali upazila of Chittagong.

The deceased Zakir Hosein, 40, was a balloon hawker from Shariatpur, reports our Chittagong correspondent quoting police.

The injured were Md Sentu, 40, a CNG driver, Anwar 22, Sunny, 9, Shakib, 8 and Naimuddin 8, all locals who went to West Gomdani area to attend a Victory Day fair.

Potia circle police Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Shamim Hossain endorsed the facts and said the injured were rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

The incident took place when the balloon hawker was pumping air into his balloons, said Jahurul Islam, a summoner of his the fair committee.