KARACHI: At least 16 people were killed and over 14 others injured when a gas cylinder exploded in a residential building in the Soldier Bazaar’s Gul Rana Colony on Thursday.
Rescue sources said that10 bodies — including a woman and a 10-year-old girl identified as Nazia — have been recovered from the debris so far.
More than 14 injured individuals were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Rescue workers also managed to pull another young girl alive from the rubble and provided her with urgent medical care.
The intensity of the blast caused the roof of the building to collapse, trapping several residents under the debris.
As per the authorities, the affected structure was a three-story building with one room on each floor.
A large portion of the building was reduced to rubble, complicating relief efforts.
Officials stated narrow streets in the locality were making it difficult to move heavy machinery to the site. However, rescue teams continued operations without interruption.
Speaking to the media, Rescue 1122 Director General Brigadier Wajid said that initial information suggested the explosion occurred on the first floor of the building.
He said the blast was likely caused by a gas cylinder or a gas suction machine; however, an investigation is under way to determine the exact reason.
Brigadier Wajid added there are fears that more residents could still be trapped beneath the rubble, as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors.
Using specialised tools, emergency workers are carefully cutting through twisted iron beams and shifting heavy debris to avoid harming any potential survivors.
Residents said the explosion was so loud that it echoed across the neighbourhood, causing panic among residents.
Further search is continue to search for any survivors by police and emergency personals.
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