Karachi:
At least five people were confirmed dead on Friday after a fireworks stock on Karachis Ma Jinnah Road fired fire on Thursday night and left 32 wounded.
Two of the wounded bent during their injuries during medical treatment, while another three bodies were taken from the rubble. Remaing 30 undergoes treatment. However, a person may still be caught during the waste, said Rescue 1122 officials.
South SSP Mahzar Ali, who visited the site on Thursday with Bomb Disposal Squad, told journalists that another three deceased had been withdrawn from the rubble, and two critically wounded victims had died during treatment in the hospital. “This has brought the death toll to five,” he confirmed.
Read more: Blasting on fireworks -stored cuts Ma Jinnah Road
Officials confirmed that the explosion caused Serious damage to government girls Higher Secondary School nearby in Jacob Lines No. 1. Two of the school’s buildings, the staff room and much of its furniture was destroyed. The outer border wall, ceiling fans and cabinets in the classrooms were also crushed and dirt from the collapsed structures scattered in the premises.
“If the explosion had happened during school hours, it could have been a massive tragedy. Over 1,000 girls survey here, with about 75 teachers and 10 support staff,” Principal Said told Naimat to Express news.
Studies revealed that the warehouse and stores belonged to Hanif Patakha, son of Usman and his brother Muhammad Ayub. They had reportedly stored excessive amounts of fireworks material under uncertain conditions, causing the deadly explosion, resulting in loss of precious lives and damage to many others.
SSP said the warehouse ownerAt Muhammad Hanif has been taken into custody while his brother and business partner, Muhammad Ayub, is on the run. A case has already been registered against both brothers. “Raids will be completed and he will be arrested soon.”
A four is registered on behalf of the state, police said.
Deputy Director of the Explosive Department revealed that no permission from his office had been obtained to store fireworks material on site. “If the storage is under 50 kg, the DC office will issue a noc. Something beyond [that] Requires the permission of the explosive department. From what we have seen so far, it seems that more than 50 kg of material was kept inside, ”he added.
Chief Four Officer Humayun Khan described the explosion as so powerful that the damaged building’s most important columns and crushed windows with nearby structures. “Fireworks need to be stored far from populated areas, shops and petrol pumps, yet this warehouse was located right next to one school building, ”he said.
Study is now focused on license to the warehouse. “We are investigating when the fireworks are issued and how its renewal process worked,” SSP said.
Rescue 1122 Responsible Muhammad Iftikhar Ahmed insured rescue operations would continue until they are sure no one will remain under the rubble.
