Karachi:
Rescuers pulled another three bodies from the rubble of the collapsed al-Amna Plaza on Ma Jinnah Road and raised the death stall from Thursday’s fireworks storage explosion to six. Four of the wounded are said to be in critical condition.
The blasting took place in a warehouse and storage room used for storing and selling fireworks located inside Al-Amna Plaza. The explosion triggered a massive fire that was brought under control before rescue teams launched search operations.
Late Thursday night, rescuers restored the other body from the waste. The charred and unidentifiable corpse was moved to Civil Hospital. However, the Facilitator recognized the victim by his beard as 32-year-old Hamza. Married two and a half years ago, Hamza was the father of a young daughter. He ran a surgical instruments store in al-Amna Plaza and provided equipment for hospitals. Items worth millions of rupees were destroyed in the explosion.
During the early hours of Friday, a third body was regained and brought to civilian hospital. The deceased was identified by his family as 40-year-old Shehzad Ali. Shehzad owned a hearing aid shop named “Karachi Hearing” at Plaza and was a resident of Korangi # 5 with two children. His relative Dilshad said that despite having searched several cemeteries, they struggled to find space for his funeral. Eventually, after a great effort, he was put to rest at Chakra Goth Cemetery, Korangi, after Friday prayers.
Later in the evening, rescue workers restored a fourth body from the waste. Officials identified the deceased as 20-year-old Sikandar, son of Rizwan. With his death, the road tax rose from the explosion to six. Four of the bodies were pulled from the rubble, while two of the wounded were succumbed to their wounds at Jinnah and civilian hospitals on Thursday night.
Rescue 1122 Officials said that on -site search operations are still underway. Police have closed the area and deployed additional staff. Store owners at Al-Amna Plaza told Express that it was still unclear how many people can remain trapped. They said that a man named Ayaz, who was present at Plaza at the time of the explosion, has been missing since, with his family desperately searching for him without success.
District South SSP Mahzoor Ali, accompanied by a Bomb Disposal Squad Team, was present on the spot.
He said police had nominated the warehouse owner, Muhammad Hanif – known locally as Hanif Patakha – and his brother, Muhammad Ayub, in the case. Hanif is currently in police custody, while there is an effort to arrest Ayub, who was reportedly his business partner. It was unclear whether Ayub was present in the warehouse at the time of the explosion.
SSP Ali said the warehouse with fireworks that were destroyed in the explosion was quite old. Studies are underway to determine how long they had a license and how its renewal process was managed.
He mentioned that stocks’ license has not been issued recently-it was very old. When the warehouse existed, it means that they previously had a license. He added that no matter what findings emerge during the investigation that will be thoroughly examined. He also said that the remaining fireworks in the warehouse are inspected by the explosive department and the bombing team and their report will be released soon.
Chief Four Officer Humayun Khan said the explosion was so powerful that it damaged the building’s structural columns and crushed the windows in nearby shops and houses.
