At least 16 people, including nine children, were killed and 14 others suffered injuries after a suspected gas leak triggered an explosion in a residential building in Pakistan's Karachi early Thursday morning.
The blast occurred around 4:30 am on the first floor of a building in the Old Soldier Bazar area, when families were awake for Sehri on the first day of Ramzan, reported PTI reported.
The first day of Ramzan is being observed in Pakistan today.
“The explosion took place around 4:30 am on the first floor of the building located in the Old Soldier Bazar area when everyone was awake for Sehri time,” a police official Jamshed Asher in Karachi said.
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He added that the apparent cause of the explosion was a gas leakage.
Police surgeon Dr Samaiya Syed said authorities had so far received 14 bodies, while 14 injured persons were undergoing treatment.
Rescue officials later said the toll had risen to 16.
The explosion also led to a partial collapse of the already dilapidated building.
“We are still searching through the rubble and debris to see if there are any more bodies or survivors,” Chief Fire Officer Karachi Humayun Khan said.
Karachi, Pakistan's largest port city and commercial hub, faces frequent gas shortages, prompting many households – especially in lower-income areas — to use liquefied petroleum gas cylinders in addition to natural gas connections.
The deceased include children aged between two and 17 years. Several of the injured are also minors.
Media reports said that this is the second major tragedy to occur in Karachi. Last month, a fire broke out in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, in the Saddar area killing at least 79 people and leaving scores injured.
In July, a gas explosion following a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, killed eight people, including the bride and groom. The blast occurred as guests had gathered to celebrate the couple, authorities said.
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