Gas explosion in Pakistan’s Karachi apartment kills 16: report

At least 16 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured after a gas explosion tore through an apartment building in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, on Thursday, as per reports.

The blast took place early morning in a residential area of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, as residents were preparing the pre-dawn meal on the first day of Ramadan, local police chief reported. 

After the explosion, parts of the building collapsed, trapping several occupants under the debris.

Rescue crews kept working to clear the rubble and look for survivors. 

The death toll, initially reported at 13, rose to 16 after three more bodies were recovered from the site, officials said.

As per reports, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and called for the swift completion of rescue efforts.

The President also urged the Sindh provincial government to strictly enforce building regulations, review gas cylinder safety measures and conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident to prevent similar tragedies.

Most homes in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan are supplied with natural gas for cooking, though many households also use liquefied petroleum gas cylinders due to low gas pressure.