Karachi, February 19 At least 16 people, including many children, were killed and 14 others injured when a suspected gas leak led to an explosion in a residential building in Karachi, Pakistan, on Thursday morning.
"The explosion occurred around 4:30 am on the first floor of the building, located in the Old Soldier Bazar area, when everyone was awake for the pre-dawn prayers," police official Jamshed Asher said.
The first day of Ramadan is being observed in Pakistan today.
The police official said that the apparent cause of the explosion was a gas leak.
Due to a gas shortage in Pakistan's largest city, many families, especially those in lower-income residential areas, use liquid petroleum gas cylinders at their homes.
Police surgeon Dr. Samaiya Syed confirmed that they had received 14 bodies from the blast site and that 14 injured are being treated.
The explosion caused part of the building structure to collapse due to its dilapidated condition.
"We are still searching through the rubble and debris to see if there are any more bodies or survivors," Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said.
The deceased include at least nine children, aged between two and 17, and the injured also include seven children.
This is the second major tragedy to occur in Karachi. Last month, a fire broke out in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, in the Saddar area, killing at least 79 people and leaving many injured.
