A powerful gas cylinder explosion ripped through a residential flat in North Nazimabad early on Sunday morning, shaking District Central and sending shock waves across several kilometres.
The blast completely destroyed the flat on the 10th floor of Bismillah Residency in Block E, causing the death of a teenage boy, and leaving four other people injured. The explosion occurred around 5:40am on the fourth day of Ramazan, triggering panic in the neighbourhood as flames were seen rising from the upper floors of the building. Residents rushed out of their homes while police, Rangers, fire brigade units and rescue teams reached the scene.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said that initial reports suggest a gas leak. Firefighters battled the blaze using two fire engines and a snorkel vehicle, bringing the fire under control after nearly an hour of efforts.
Cooling operations continued afterward. Rescue officials said that four fire engines, a water bowser and two snorkel units participated in the firefighting operation. Rescue workers evacuated residents from other floors and took the injured to the Burns Ward of Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.
The injured were identified as Tasleem Bibi, 70, Hunaid Fazal Abbas, 40, Fatima Hunaid, 30, and Ansiya Hunaid, 4. Hospital officials said Tasleem Bibi had suffered 90 per cent burns, while Hunaid Fazal Abbas had suffered 80 per cent burns.
Mustafa Aun, 15, had been pulled out of the rubble in critical condition and taken to the Saifee Hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead. His body was handed over to his family. Chhipa Foundation spokesman Chaudhry Shahid had also suffered burn injuries during the rescue operation, and was taken to a nearby hospital.
District Central Deputy Commissioner Taha Saleem said that two flats on the 10th floor had been severely affected. Fragments of a gas cylinder were recovered from the site, indicating that the explosion had been caused by a cylinder blast.
Sindh Building Control Authority officials said that the structure of the affected flats had been compromised due to the fire, and clearance would be required before residents can safely return.
The explosion also damaged more than a dozen vehicles parked outside the building and affected nearby residential structures. CCTV camera footage captured the moment of the powerful blast.
Sindh police chief Javed Alam Odho ordered police officials to supervise the rescue operations, and ensure safety measures in and around the affected area, while Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed sorrow over the incident, offered his condolences to the bereaved family, and ordered immediate and quality medical care for the injured. This was the second major gas-related incident this Ramazan. Earlier, a blast in the Soldier Bazaar area had claimed 15 lives and left as many others injured.
