What Happened in Karachi After a Gas Explosion Triggered a Building Collapse?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Karachi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Tragically, a gas explosion has resulted in the loss of at least six lives after it led to a partial collapse of a building in Karachi, Pakistan, as reported by local media citing officials on Thursday.
The incident occurred in a residence located in the Gul Rana Colony within the Soldier Bazar area, where it is suspected that a gas leak was the culprit behind the explosion.
In response to the explosion, emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene and commenced rescue operations. So far, 11 individuals have been rescued from the debris and transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. Authorities stated that the search efforts continued for several hours as teams tirelessly scoured the rubble to locate any additional residents who may be trapped.
The blast, which occurred on the first floor on Wednesday night, caused significant structural damage to the building. Rescue teams highlighted that all available resources were deployed in the ongoing search operation, as reported by the prominent media outlet, Geo News.
The injured were taken to Civil Hospital, where they received essential medical treatment.
This incident has once again raised alarming concerns regarding gas safety and the deteriorating infrastructure in various residential neighborhoods, according to the leading daily, Dawn.
Deputy Commissioner East Nasrullah Abbasi expressed fears that two additional individuals might still be trapped beneath the rubble.
He indicated that the building suffered extensive damage due to the gas cylinder explosion, leading to its eventual collapse.
Rescue operations are ongoing, albeit with challenges posed by the congested nature of the locality.
This event comes on the heels of a devastating fire that erupted at a shopping mall in Karachi on January 17, resulting in the deaths of at least 80 individuals, with several others still unaccounted for.