Karachi: At least 16 people, including women and children, lost their lives after a gas cylinder explosion caused part of a residential building to collapse in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area early Thursday morning, officials confirmed.
The blast occurred around 4:00–4:15 am in Gul Rana Colony near Street No. 05, close to Aga Khan School. The explosion struck as families were preparing sehri, the pre-dawn meal observed during Ramadan. The powerful impact reportedly shook nearby structures and triggered panic among residents.
Emergency response teams, including Rescue 1122 personnel, immediately reached the site and began clearing debris. Victims were transported to Civil Hospital Karachi, where several injured individuals continue to receive treatment. Authorities confirmed that 16 bodies and 14 injured persons were recovered from the rubble, with one injured individual later discharged after receiving medical care.
ASP Jamshed Nasir stated that the explosion took place on the first floor of the building, which had reportedly been constructed on girders. Officials have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the collapse and assess whether structural vulnerabilities contributed to the tragedy.
Police indicated that the death toll increased as additional bodies were found during ongoing rescue efforts. Search operations continued for several hours amid concerns that more victims could be trapped beneath the debris.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed condolences to the bereaved families and instructed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. He also emphasized the importance of enforcing building safety regulations, conducting gas cylinder inspections, and carrying out a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
In Karachi and several other Pakistani cities, households frequently rely on both piped natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders due to inconsistent gas supply pressure. Such dependence has been linked to similar accidents in the past. Last year, a gas explosion in Islamabad claimed eight lives during a wedding gathering, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Karachi explosion while rescue and relief efforts proceed.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
