Karachi:
At least one person died and another 34 were injured after a fire broke out in a fireworks warehouse located near Saddar’s parking space along Ma Jinnah Road on Thursday.
All injured were quickly transferred to nearby hospitals. Hospital’s sources report that 14 of the injured entered the Civil Hospital, while 20 were treated at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC).
Meanwhile, rescue officials recovered the carbonized body of a 16 -year -old Madrassa student, identified as Asad, from the site.
Speaking to journalists, the victim’s uncle, Jamal Shah, said Asad, a Patel resident for, had come to visit his older brother during the holidays.
His brother, Afser Shah, who works in an surgical instrument store near the explosion site, was also injured in the explosion and is currently under treatment.
In search of immediate investigation, Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hasal Lanjar, asked if the warehouse was operating under a valid license. He commissioned the police to help the rescue operation and collect statements of the injured in addition to collecting evidence from the site.
“All necessary measures must be taken to transfer the injured to nearby hospitals,” he said, instructing officials to present an initial report on the consultation and begin the investigation of the fire.
Rescue teams that work to extinguish the fire. Photo: Express
Rescue teams that work to extinguish the fire. Photo: Express
Sindh’s prime minister Murad Ali Shah also realized the fire that involved large amounts of fireworks stored in Ma Jinnah Road.
“Efforts should be made to control the fire as soon as possible,” the CM directed, while emphasizing that “all possible efforts should be taken to avoid any loss of lives.”
Shah ordered the Karachi commissioner to make sure the injured received immediate medical attention and stressed that dangerous material for manufacturing in urban residential areas are not allowed.
“Once the fire is controlled, a detailed report must be submitted to me,” Shah said.
The extinction operation was underway until the presentation of this report.
