KARACHI: At least 16 people, including women and children, lost their lives and 14 others were injured after a gas explosion led to the partial collapse of a residential building in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar early Thursday morning, officials said.
The incident took place around 4:15am during Sehri at a house in Gul Rana Colony. According to ASP Jamshed Asher, the explosion occurred on the first floor of the ground-plus-two structure, causing a section of the building to cave in. The injured and the deceased were shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment and medico-legal formalities.
Sindh Rescue 1122 confirmed that the death toll had risen to 16, with 14 people injured. Dr Mohammad Sabir Memon, director of the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital, said 13 bodies had been brought to the facility.
Rescue teams, including an urban search and rescue unit and a disaster response vehicle, continued operations at the site to locate any remaining victims. Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said the blast caused the partial collapse of the structure, adding that the narrow, small-room layout made rescue efforts difficult.
He further noted that the building was not a legal construction and comprised individual rooms. The collapse also damaged adjacent structures.
According to the casualty list issued by Rescue 1122, the deceased included eight minors, four women and four men, aged between two and 60 years. Among the injured were seven children.
A spokesperson for District East police said a heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel reached the scene soon after the explosion. The area was cordoned off and security tightened while rescue operations were launched.
CM orders probe, temporary rehabilitation
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and expressed grief over the loss of lives, according to a statement from the CM House. He directed authorities to immediately rescue those trapped under the rubble and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
The chief minister also instructed officials to provide full support to the affected families and ordered the Karachi commissioner to investigate the cause of the explosion.
Adviser to the CM for Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essrani sought reports from Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments. He said rehabilitation teams were present at the site to provide temporary accommodation, relief and basic necessities to displaced families.
Essrani said the department was working under a comprehensive plan to offer complete rehabilitation, including mental health assistance and other necessary facilities. He stressed the need for the safe relocation of residents of the affected building and nearby structures.
Condolences pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in separate statements.
President Zardari extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. He also called for speeding up rescue operations and urged the Sindh government to inspect buildings, ensure the safety of gas cylinders and strictly enforce building codes. He emphasised the need for a thorough investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of those wounded, directing authorities to extend all necessary medical assistance.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also expressed grief and instructed officials to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure proper treatment for the injured. He ordered regular updates on relief work.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial government shared the grief of the affected families and urged citizens to exercise caution while using gas appliances and report any suspected leakage immediately.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab conveyed his condolences and assured the victims of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s support.
Recurring safety concerns
Building and roof collapses are frequent across Pakistan due to weak safety standards and substandard construction materials. Karachi, a city of over 20 million, is particularly prone to such incidents because of illegal constructions, ageing infrastructure, overcrowding and poor enforcement of building regulations.
In July 2025, at least 27 people were killed and 10 injured when a five-storey building collapsed in the Lyari area. Authorities had earlier declared the structure unsafe.
At the time, the Sindh Building Control Authority had stated that 588 buildings across Karachi had been declared dangerous. A month later, a gas explosion caused the collapse of an Awami National Party office in Orangi Town, injuring four workers, one of them critically.
In June 2024, after 27 people — including 19 children — died in an explosion at an LPG cylinder filling shop in Hyderabad, the Sindh government decided to relocate such facilities away from residential areas.
KARACHI: At least 16 people, including women and children, lost their lives and 14 others were injured after a gas explosion led to the partial collapse of a residential building in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar early Thursday morning, officials said.
The incident took place around 4:15am during Sehri at a house in Gul Rana Colony. According to ASP Jamshed Asher, the explosion occurred on the first floor of the ground-plus-two structure, causing a section of the building to cave in. The injured and the deceased were shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment and medico-legal formalities.
Sindh Rescue 1122 confirmed that the death toll had risen to 16, with 14 people injured. Dr Mohammad Sabir Memon, director of the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital, said 13 bodies had been brought to the facility.
Rescue teams, including an urban search and rescue unit and a disaster response vehicle, continued operations at the site to locate any remaining victims. Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said the blast caused the partial collapse of the structure, adding that the narrow, small-room layout made rescue efforts difficult.
He further noted that the building was not a legal construction and comprised individual rooms. The collapse also damaged adjacent structures.
According to the casualty list issued by Rescue 1122, the deceased included eight minors, four women and four men, aged between two and 60 years. Among the injured were seven children.
A spokesperson for District East police said a heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel reached the scene soon after the explosion. The area was cordoned off and security tightened while rescue operations were launched.
CM orders probe, temporary rehabilitation
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and expressed grief over the loss of lives, according to a statement from the CM House. He directed authorities to immediately rescue those trapped under the rubble and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
The chief minister also instructed officials to provide full support to the affected families and ordered the Karachi commissioner to investigate the cause of the explosion.
Adviser to the CM for Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essrani sought reports from Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments. He said rehabilitation teams were present at the site to provide temporary accommodation, relief and basic necessities to displaced families.
Essrani said the department was working under a comprehensive plan to offer complete rehabilitation, including mental health assistance and other necessary facilities. He stressed the need for the safe relocation of residents of the affected building and nearby structures.
Condolences pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in separate statements.
President Zardari extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. He also called for speeding up rescue operations and urged the Sindh government to inspect buildings, ensure the safety of gas cylinders and strictly enforce building codes. He emphasised the need for a thorough investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of those wounded, directing authorities to extend all necessary medical assistance.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also expressed grief and instructed officials to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure proper treatment for the injured. He ordered regular updates on relief work.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial government shared the grief of the affected families and urged citizens to exercise caution while using gas appliances and report any suspected leakage immediately.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab conveyed his condolences and assured the victims of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s support.
Recurring safety concerns
Building and roof collapses are frequent across Pakistan due to weak safety standards and substandard construction materials. Karachi, a city of over 20 million, is particularly prone to such incidents because of illegal constructions, ageing infrastructure, overcrowding and poor enforcement of building regulations.
In July 2025, at least 27 people were killed and 10 injured when a five-storey building collapsed in the Lyari area. Authorities had earlier declared the structure unsafe.
At the time, the Sindh Building Control Authority had stated that 588 buildings across Karachi had been declared dangerous. A month later, a gas explosion caused the collapse of an Awami National Party office in Orangi Town, injuring four workers, one of them critically.
In June 2024, after 27 people — including 19 children — died in an explosion at an LPG cylinder filling shop in Hyderabad, the Sindh government decided to relocate such facilities away from residential areas.
KARACHI: At least 16 people, including women and children, lost their lives and 14 others were injured after a gas explosion led to the partial collapse of a residential building in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar early Thursday morning, officials said.
The incident took place around 4:15am during Sehri at a house in Gul Rana Colony. According to ASP Jamshed Asher, the explosion occurred on the first floor of the ground-plus-two structure, causing a section of the building to cave in. The injured and the deceased were shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment and medico-legal formalities.
Sindh Rescue 1122 confirmed that the death toll had risen to 16, with 14 people injured. Dr Mohammad Sabir Memon, director of the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital, said 13 bodies had been brought to the facility.
Rescue teams, including an urban search and rescue unit and a disaster response vehicle, continued operations at the site to locate any remaining victims. Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said the blast caused the partial collapse of the structure, adding that the narrow, small-room layout made rescue efforts difficult.
He further noted that the building was not a legal construction and comprised individual rooms. The collapse also damaged adjacent structures.
According to the casualty list issued by Rescue 1122, the deceased included eight minors, four women and four men, aged between two and 60 years. Among the injured were seven children.
A spokesperson for District East police said a heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel reached the scene soon after the explosion. The area was cordoned off and security tightened while rescue operations were launched.
CM orders probe, temporary rehabilitation
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and expressed grief over the loss of lives, according to a statement from the CM House. He directed authorities to immediately rescue those trapped under the rubble and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
The chief minister also instructed officials to provide full support to the affected families and ordered the Karachi commissioner to investigate the cause of the explosion.
Adviser to the CM for Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essrani sought reports from Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments. He said rehabilitation teams were present at the site to provide temporary accommodation, relief and basic necessities to displaced families.
Essrani said the department was working under a comprehensive plan to offer complete rehabilitation, including mental health assistance and other necessary facilities. He stressed the need for the safe relocation of residents of the affected building and nearby structures.
Condolences pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in separate statements.
President Zardari extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. He also called for speeding up rescue operations and urged the Sindh government to inspect buildings, ensure the safety of gas cylinders and strictly enforce building codes. He emphasised the need for a thorough investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of those wounded, directing authorities to extend all necessary medical assistance.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also expressed grief and instructed officials to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure proper treatment for the injured. He ordered regular updates on relief work.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial government shared the grief of the affected families and urged citizens to exercise caution while using gas appliances and report any suspected leakage immediately.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab conveyed his condolences and assured the victims of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s support.
Recurring safety concerns
Building and roof collapses are frequent across Pakistan due to weak safety standards and substandard construction materials. Karachi, a city of over 20 million, is particularly prone to such incidents because of illegal constructions, ageing infrastructure, overcrowding and poor enforcement of building regulations.
In July 2025, at least 27 people were killed and 10 injured when a five-storey building collapsed in the Lyari area. Authorities had earlier declared the structure unsafe.
At the time, the Sindh Building Control Authority had stated that 588 buildings across Karachi had been declared dangerous. A month later, a gas explosion caused the collapse of an Awami National Party office in Orangi Town, injuring four workers, one of them critically.
In June 2024, after 27 people — including 19 children — died in an explosion at an LPG cylinder filling shop in Hyderabad, the Sindh government decided to relocate such facilities away from residential areas.