Karachi: At least 16 people, including several children, were killed and 14 others injured when a suspected gas leak led to an explosion in an apartment building in Karachi, Pakistan, on Thursday morning.
Police official Jamshed Asher said: “The explosion occurred at around 4.30 am on the first floor of the building located in the Old Soldier Bazaar area when everyone was awake for suhoor time.”
The first day of Ramadan is celebrated in Pakistan today.
The police official said that the cause of the explosion appeared to be a gas leak.
Due to gas shortage in Pakistan’s largest city, many families, especially in low-income residential areas, use LPG cylinders in their homes.
Police surgeon Dr. Sumaya Sayed confirmed that they have so far received 14 bodies from the explosion site, while 14 injured people are undergoing treatment.
The explosion led to the collapse of part of the building’s structure due to its dilapidated condition.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said: “We are still searching through the rubble and debris to see if there are more bodies or survivors.”
Among the deceased were at least nine children between the ages of two and 17, while seven children were also among the injured.
This is the second major tragedy to happen in Karachi. Last month, a fire broke out in the basement of Gul Shopping Centre, a wholesale and retail market, in Saddar district, killing at least 79 people and injuring dozens.
