Karachi gas blast: Eight kids among 16 dead, 14 injured as residential building partially collapses in Soldier Bazaar
PTC Web Desk: A devastating gas explosion ripped through a residential building in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area early morning, killing at least 16 persons, among them women and children, and injuring 14 others, rescue officials confirmed.
The blast occurred around 4.15am during Sehri in Gul Rana Colony, a densely populated neighbourhood within Soldier Bazaar. Authorities said the explosion originated on the first floor of a ground-plus-two-storey structure, triggering a partial collapse and trapping several residents beneath the rubble.
The injured and the deceased were taken to Civil Hospital for treatment and identification.
Sindh Rescue 1122 said its urban search and rescue teams, along with disaster response vehicles, were deployed immediately. Rescue workers faced significant hurdles due to the cramped layout of the building, which consisted of small and partitioned rooms.
Rescue 1122 chief operating officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh told media representatives that the structure was not legally constructed and that surrounding buildings also sustained damage from the impact of the explosion.
According to rescue authorities, the deceased include eight children, four women and four men, aged between two and 60 years. Seven of the injured are minors. Officials fear the toll could rise as search efforts continue.
A spokesperson for District East police said law enforcement personnel cordoned off the area soon after the blast and assisted rescue teams in securing the site.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took immediate notice of the tragedy and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. In a statement, he directed authorities to ensure swift rescue of anyone still trapped and to provide the best possible medical care to the injured.
The chief minister also instructed the Karachi commissioner to investigate the exact cause of the explosion and submit a detailed report.
- With inputs from agencies
