A powerful gas cylinder explosion ripped through a residential building in Karachi late at night, killing at least 13 people and injuring many others when part of the structure collapsed. The blast shattered the calm of the densely populated neighborhood and triggered panic as residents rushed outside amid smoke, debris, and desperate cries for help.
The incident occurred in Soldier Bazaar No 3, where a three-storey building partially caved in after the explosion erupted on its first floor. Witnesses reported hearing a thunderous blast followed by screams as walls cracked and sections of the structure gave way, trapping families beneath heavy rubble within seconds.
Emergency responders immediately launched a large-scale rescue operation, working through the night using all available equipment and manpower. Teams carefully removed debris piece by piece while searching for survivors, as ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals and relatives gathered anxiously at the site awaiting updates.
Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion was triggered by a gas leak, possibly from a cylinder or suction machine inside the building. Officials say such blasts can intensify rapidly in enclosed spaces, creating pressure strong enough to damage structural supports and cause partial or total collapse.
Among the victims were women, children, and elderly residents, including a ten-year-old girl and a sixty-year-old man whose bodies were recovered from the wreckage. Several injured victims remain in critical condition, including a teenage girl rescued alive but severely hurt, as doctors continue emergency treatment efforts.
Authorities confirmed that at least two individuals are still believed trapped under the debris, while narrow streets surrounding the building have complicated rescue operations. Police sealed off the area to ensure safety as search efforts continue, with officials vowing a full investigation into the incident’s cause and accountability.
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