Gas Leak Explosion in Karachi Apartment Leaves 16 Dead

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Karachi: At least 16 people were killed and several others injured on Thursday morning after a suspected gas explosion tore through a residential building in the Soldier Bazaar area of Karachi, officials and rescue teams said. The blast caused part of the structure to collapse, trapping residents under debris.

The explosion occurred during the pre-dawn period of Ramadan, as many families were awake for the early morning meal before fasting, police said. Local police chief Rizwan Patel confirmed the rising death toll as rescue workers continued to comb through rubble looking for any possible survivors.

Emergency services, including rescue teams and volunteers, rushed to the scene shortly after the blast. Rescuers pulled numerous injured individuals from the debris and transported them to nearby hospitals for treatment, while bodies of the deceased were also recovered.

Authorities said women and children were among those killed in the explosion, underscoring the tragedy’s toll on families. The exact cause of the blast is still being investigated, though early indications point to a suspected gas leak as the trigger.

Witnesses described the blast as powerful, with the force large enough to shake nearby buildings and send clouds of dust and debris into the air. Narrow streets in the densely populated area made rescue efforts more challenging.

Pakistan’s President expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care for the injured. He also called for strict enforcement of building and gas safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Photo Credit:AFP