Karachi:
At least one person is dead and 34 others were injured after a fire broke out on a fireworks store located near Saddar Parking Plaza along Ma Jinnah Road on Thursday.
All the wounded were quickly transferred to nearby hospitals. Hospital sources report that 14 of the wounded were admitted to Civil Hospital, while 20 were treated at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC).
Meanwhile, rescue officials picked up the charred body of a 16-year-old Madrassa student, identified as ASAD, from the site.
In a speech with journalists, the victim’s uncle, Jamal Shah, said Asad, resident of Patel Para, had come to visit his older brother during the holidays.
His brother, afte Shah, who works in a surgical instruments near the explosion site, was also injured in the explosion and is currently undergoing treatment.
Sindh -Minister Ziaul Hasal Lanjar, who sought immediate investigation, asked if the warehouse operated under a valid license. He got the police to help the rescue operation and collect statements from the wounded besides collecting evidence from the site.
“All necessary measures must be taken to transfer the wounded to nearby hospitals,” he said, instructing officials to submit an initial report on the investigation and begin probe to the fire.
Rescue teams are working to extinguish the fire. Photo: Express
Rescue teams are working to extinguish the fire. Photo: Express
Sindh -Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also noticed the fire that enveloped large quantities of fireworks stored on Ma Jinnah Road.
“Efforts must be made to bring the fire under control at the earliest,” instructed CM, while he emphasized that “any possible effort must be made to prevent loss of life”.
Shah instructed the Karachi Commissioner to make sure the wounded were provided with immediate medical attention and emphasized that no dangerous material is allowed for manufacturing in urban areas.
“When the fire is controlled, a detailed report must be presented to me,” Shah said.
The extinguishing operation was underway until the filing of this report.
