Bodies have also been recovered from the building’s debris. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
A devastating gas explosion destroyed a three-storey residential building in Karachi’s Gul-e-Rana Colony in Soldier Bazaar, early on Thursday, killing 16 people, including women and children, and injuring 14 others, rescue officials and witnesses said.
The blast occurred around 4am during Sehri, near a private school, and shook nearby buildings. According to Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid, the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak or a malfunctioning gas appliance.
The collapsed building, constructed on an area of approximately 25 to 30 yards, housed multiple families across its floors. Most casualties were from the ground and first floors, trapped under debris after the building crumbled.
Narrow lanes in the colony prevented heavy machinery from entering, forcing rescuers to rely on traditional methods, including cutters, grinders, and human detectors to locate survivors, a Rescue 1122 official said.
Nasrullah Abbasi, the deputy commissioner of Karachi East district, supervised the rescue operation. “All missing persons reported by the families have been recovered,” he told journalists. He confirmed that one injured individual was treated and discharged after receiving immediate medical attention.
Local residents gathered immediately after the blast, assisting in rescue efforts before official teams arrived. Rescue 1122, police, and welfare volunteers launched a large-scale operation that continued for more than eight hours, successfully extracting the dead and injured.
“The area’s narrow streets made the operation extremely challenging,” said Dr Abid. “We used modern equipment to trace individuals trapped under debris and transferred them to nearby hospitals for urgent care.”
Bomb Disposal Squad In-Charge Abid Farooq added that the explosion was caused by a gas leak and not a cylinder. “The kitchen fittings were faulty, and plastic pipes and joints contributed to gas leakage. Gas suction machines were installed, and the area had experienced low supply for several days. Sudden high-pressure gas may have triggered the blast.”
Among those killed were: Nargis, 2, daughter of Qambar; Mohammad Riaz, 60, son of Mohammad Usman; Nazia, 10, daughter of Wakiya; Benazir, 15, daughter of Wakiya; Qambar Ali, 27, son of Baloch Khan; Yasmin, 21, wife of Qambar Ali; Sonu, 6, daughter of Jabbar; Wasim, 5, son of Nadeem; Nadeem, 28, son of Urs; Sajjad, 12, son of Shahid; Abbas, 18, son of Shahid; Zainunnisa, 35, wife of Shahid; Aqsa, 15, daughter of Anwar Ali; Afshan, 14; Insha, 19; and Rukhsar, 18.
The injured included: Mohammad Shahid, 60, son of Ghulam Rasool; Wakiya, 50, son of Chhota; Bilal, 14, son of Wakiya; Padhra, 10, daughter of Wakiya; Adnan, 6, son of Wakiya; Riaz, 7, son of Wakiya; Tasleem, 25, daughter of Wakiya; Zainuddin, 6, son of Kamran; Kamran, 40, son of Nazar Mohammad; Sanaahan, 12, son of Wakiya; Kausar, 13, daughter of Anwar Ali; Amina, 55, wife of Wakiya; Junaid, 18, son of Mohammad Anwar; and one additional person sent home after treatment.
Police have taken the building owner into custody for questioning, while DIG East Farukh Lanjar visited the site to review relief efforts. Authorities confirmed the building was illegal, and nearby structures sustained cracks, leading to evacuations.
Further inspections and legal action will follow to ensure accountability, officials said. Residents and authorities continue assisting in relief and recovery operations while investigations proceed to determine the exact cause of the blast.
