In a heart-wrenching development, the death toll from a gas explosion in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar has surged to 16, with rescue teams still combing the debris of a fallen apartment block in Gul Rana Colony. The blast ripped through the building at 4:15 AM on February 19, a time when families were preparing for Ramadan’s suhoor.
Police confirm a gas cylinder malfunction on the first floor as the culprit, dooming the precarious structure riddled with safety violations. Victims include vulnerable groups: six women and four kids, plus 14 wounded now in hospitals. Notably, Civil Hospital’s director noted 13 corpses in their morgue.
Rescue 1122’s elite units, including disaster vans, grapple with the site’s peculiarities—tiny interconnected rooms in an unlicensed build that crumbled easily, damaging surroundings too. Dr. Abid, the COO, detailed the tough going amid the rubble-strewn chaos.
Security forces have sealed the high-traffic zone, keeping bystanders at bay as experts probe for life signs. This catastrophe in a teeming residential pocket amplifies calls for regulatory overhaul.
Beyond the immediate rescue, the incident fuels debates on housing standards and cylinder safety in sprawling cities like Karachi. With operations unrelenting, the city holds its breath for closure while honoring the lost.