Rescue officials said on Friday that 10 people were killed after the boiler of a factory exploded early in the morning in Faisalabad’s Malikpur area, causing the roofs of nearby structures to collapse.
In an initial statement, Rescue 1122 said that the incident occurred in Shahab Town, near the Kabbadi Stadium. The rescue service said that the boiler explosion caused the roof of the factory and that of adjacent houses to collapse, killing four.
Later, it said that search and rescue teams had pulled out 17 people from the rubble, adding that 10 had died on the spot. It said that the rescue operation was underway under the supervision of the district emergency officer, adding that more than 20 ambulances and fire tenders were taking part.
It also said that the Faisalabad Control Room had received a call about the explosion at the factory at 5:28am.
Videos of the rescue work shared by Rescue 1122 showed workers combing through the rubble of buildings and looking for survivors.
Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar directed that Rescue 1122, the fire brigade and all related agencies be provided full support.
In a statement, he said that police officers and officials should continue rescue operations to find people buried underneath the rubble. He also directed traffic police to ensure easy access to the site of the incident for ambulances and other rescue vehicles.
Last year in April, a dozen workers were injured in a steam boiler explosion at a textile mill in Faisalabad. Rescue 1122 reported that as a result of the blast, not only did fire break out in the factory but the roof of a hall also caved in.
