Gas explosion kills 16 in Pakistan’s Karachi, collapsing building | News

Rescuers are still removing rubble to search for any survivors trapped under the debris, police say.

A gas explosion has torn through an apartment building in Pakistan’s largest port city of Karachi, killing at least 16 people, including women and children, and injuring several others after part of the structure collapsed, police and rescue officials said.

The explosion occurred on Thursday in a residential neighbourhood of Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, as residents were preparing a pre-dawn meal on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, local police chief Rizwan Patel said.

Rescuers were still removing rubble to search for any survivors trapped under the debris, he said. The search-and-rescue operation was ongoing.

Most houses and apartment buildings in Karachi, like elsewhere in Pakistan, are supplied with natural gas for cooking. However, inconsistent supply and low pressure force many households to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders as a backup, increasing the risk of leaks and explosions.

In July, a gas explosion following a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, killed eight people, including the bride and groom. The blast occurred as guests had gathered to celebrate the couple, authorities said.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the deadly gas explosion in Karachi, offering condolences to the victims’ families and ordering authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible care.

He instructed officials to complete rescue efforts without delay and called on the Sindh provincial government to strictly enforce building regulations.

Zardari also urged authorities to inspect gas cylinders, strengthen safety checks and launch a comprehensive investigation to prevent similar tragedies.