Building collapses after gas explosion in Karachi, six killed and several injured

Karachi (The Uttam Hindu): An explosion occurred in Karachi, Pakistan due to a gas leak, after which several people died and many were injured when a building collapsed. In another incident, a massive explosion occurred at a gas plant in Taftan, Balochistan, near the Iran-Pakistan border. According to information shared by Pakistani media, the sound of the explosion was heard up to 10 kilometers away. It is being reported that more than 100 people are trapped inside the gas plant after the explosion.

Pakistani media 'Dawn' quoted rescue officials as saying that at least six people were killed when a part of a building collapsed due to an explosion in a house in Gul Rana Colony of Soldier Bazaar area of Karachi. Emergency services rescued 11 people from the debris and shifted them to hospital for treatment. The incident took place in a house in Gul Rana Colony area of Soldier Bazaar. The spokesperson of East District Police said that the explosion was probably caused by a gas leak.

According to Pakistani media, a statement from Rescue 1122 said that a search and rescue operation was underway at the site. An urban search and rescue team, along with a disaster response vehicle, was present at the scene. Officials said that rescue operations continued for several hours as teams searched for people trapped in the debris. Pakistani media outlet Geo News quoted sources as saying that the blast occurred on the first floor on Wednesday night, causing a part of the building to collapse, and all available resources were being used in the search operation.

Deputy Commissioner East Nasrullah Abbasi said there were fears that two other people might still be trapped under the debris. The cylinder blast caused extensive damage to the building, causing it to collapse. Rescue operations are ongoing despite difficulties in commuting due to the crowded area. Two days ago, explosions and gunfire were reported in Pakistan, injuring dozens. More than a dozen people were killed in two bomb attacks and a shootout between police and insurgent fighters in northwest Pakistan. The Pakistani army said on Tuesday that a child and 11 security personnel were killed in the attack in Bajaur district of the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday. Seven others, including women and children, were injured in the incident.

A vehicle laden with explosives exploded while being driven to a security checkpoint in Bajaur, local police officer Zafar Khan told the Associated Press news agency. The blast caused a nearby building to collapse, killing a girl.