Bodies have also been recovered from the building’s debris. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
A devastating gas explosion destroyed a three-storey residential building in Karachi’s Gul-e-Rana Colony in Soldier Bazaar early Thursday, killing 16 people, including women and children, and injuring 14 others, rescue officials and witnesses said.
The blast took place around 4 am during Sehri, near a private school, and shook nearby buildings. According to Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Abid, the explosion was probably caused by a gas leak or a faulty gas appliance.
The collapsed building, built on an area of ​​approximately 25 to 30 yards, housed several families across its floors. Most victims were from the ground and first floor, trapped under debris after the building collapsed.
Narrow lanes in the colony prevented heavy machinery from entering, forcing rescuers to rely on traditional methods including cutters, grinders and human detectors to locate survivors, a Rescue 1122 official said.
Nasrullah Abbasi, Deputy Commissioner of Karachi East district, supervised the rescue operation. “All missing persons reported by the families have been found,” he told reporters. He confirmed that one injured person was treated and discharged after receiving immediate medical attention.
Local residents gathered immediately after the blast and helped with rescue efforts before official teams arrived. Rescue 1122, police and welfare volunteers launched a large-scale operation that continued for more than eight hours, during which the dead and injured were rescued.
“The area’s narrow streets made the operation extremely challenging,” said Dr. Abid. “We used modern equipment to track individuals trapped under debris and transferred them to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.”
Bomb Disposal Squad Officer-in-Charge Abid Farooq added that the explosion was caused by a gas leak and not a cylinder. “Kitchen fittings were faulty and plastic pipes and joints contributed to gas leakage. Gas vacuums were installed and the area had experienced low supply for several days. Sudden high-pressure gas may have triggered the blast.”
Among those killed were: Nargis, 2, daughter of Qambar; Mohammad Riaz, 60, son of Mohammad Usman; Nazia, 10, daughter of Wakiya; Benazir, 15, daughter of Wakiya; Qambar Ali, 27, son of Baloch Khan; Yasmin, 21, wife of Qambar Ali; Sonu, 6, daughter of Jabbar; Wasim, 5, son of Nadeem; Nadeem, 28, son of Urs; Sajjad, 12, son of Shahid; Abbas, 18, son of Shahid; Zainunnisa, 35, wife of Shahid; Aqsa, 15, daughter of Anwar Ali; Afshan, 14; Insha, 19; and Rukhsar, 18.
The injured included: Mohammad Shahid, 60, son of Ghulam Rasool; Wakiya, 50, son of Chhota; Bilal, 14, son of Wakiya; Padhra, 10, daughter of Wakiya; Adnan, 6, son of Wakiya; Riaz, 7, son of Wakiya; Tasleem, 25, daughter of Wakiya; Zainuddin, 6, son of Kamran; Kamran, 40, son of Nazar Mohammad; Sanaahan, 12, son of Wakiya; Kausar, 13, daughter of Anwar Ali; Amina, 55, wife of Wakiya; Junaid, 18, son of Mohammad Anwar; and an additional person sent home after treatment.
The police have taken the building owner into custody for questioning while DIG East Farukh Lanjar visited the site to review the relief efforts. Authorities confirmed the building was illegal and nearby structures had cracks, prompting evacuations.
Additional inspections and legal action will follow to ensure accountability, officials said. Residents and authorities continue to assist with relief and rescue operations while investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
