Bodies have also been recovered from the rubble of the building. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
A devastating gas explosion destroyed a three-story residential building in Karachi’s Gul-e-Rana colony in Soldier Bazaar early on Thursday, killing 16 people, including women and children, and injuring 14 others, rescue officials and witnesses said.
The explosion occurred around 4 a.m. in Sehri, near a private school, and shook nearby buildings. According to Dr. Abid, Rescue 1122’s director of operations, the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak or a malfunctioning gas appliance.
The collapsed building, built in an area of ​​approximately 25 to 30 yards, housed several families on its floors. Most of the victims came from the ground and first floors, trapped under rubble after the building collapsed.
Narrow lanes in the colony prevented the entry of heavy machinery, forcing rescuers to rely on traditional methods including cutters, crushers and human detectors to locate survivors, a Rescue 1122 official said.
Nasrullah Abbasi, deputy commissioner of Karachi’s eastern district, supervised the rescue operation. “All missing persons reported by families have been recovered,” he told reporters. He confirmed that an injured individual was treated and released after receiving immediate medical attention.
Local residents gathered immediately after the explosion and assisted in rescue efforts before official teams arrived. Rescue 1122, police and welfare volunteers launched a large-scale operation that continued for more than eight hours, successfully removing the dead and injured.
“The narrow streets in the area made the operation extremely difficult,” Dr Abid said. “We used modern equipment to locate people trapped under the rubble and transferred them to nearby hospitals for urgent care.”
The head of the bomb disposal squad, Abid Farooq, added that the explosion was caused by a gas leak and not a cylinder. “Fittings in the kitchen were faulty and plastic pipes and joints contributed to the gas leak. Gas suction machines were installed and the area had experienced a low supply for several days. Sudden high-pressure gas may have caused the explosion.”
Among those killed were: Nargis, 2 years old, daughter of Qambar; Mohammad Riaz, 60, son of Mohammad Usman; Nazia, 10 years old, daughter of Wakiya; Benazir, 15 years old, daughter of Wakiya; Qambar Ali, 27, son of Baloch Khan; Yasmin, 21, wife of Qambar Ali; Sonu, 6 years old, daughter of Jabbar; Wasim, 5 years old, son of Nadeem; Nadeem, 28 years old, son of Urs; Sajjad, 12 years old, son of Shahid; Abbas, 18, son of Shahid; Zainunnisa, 35, Shahid’s wife; Aqsa, 15 years old, daughter of Anwar Ali; Afshan, 14; Insha, 19 years old; and Rukhsar, 18 years old.
Among the injured were: Mohammad Shahid, 60, son of Ghulam Rasool; Wakiya, 50, son of Chhota; Bilal, 14 years old, son of Wakiya; Padhra, 10 years old, daughter of Wakiya; Adnan, 6 years old, son of Wakiya; Riaz, 7 years old, son of Wakiya; Tasleem, 25, daughter of Wakiya; Zainuddin, 6 years old, son of Kamran; Kamran, 40, son of Nazar Mohammad; Sanaahan, 12 years old, son of Wakiya; Kausar, 13, daughter of Anwar Ali; Amina, 55, wife of Wakiya; Junaid, 18, son of Mohammad Anwar; and one additional person sent home after treatment.
Police detained the owner of the building for questioning, while DIG East Farukh Lanjar visited the spot to review the relief efforts. Authorities confirmed that the building was illegal and that nearby structures had cracks, prompting evacuations.
More inspections and legal action will follow to ensure accountability, officials said. Residents and authorities continue to assist in relief and recovery operations while investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
