Pakistan: Senior police officer Asad Raza said firefighters were rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control, while ambulances transported the injured, including passersby caught in the blast, to nearby hospitals. Officials added that several victims are in critical condition.
At least 25 people were injured, some critically, after a massive explosion tore through a fireworks storage facility in Karachi on Thursday (August 21). The blast, which occurred in the southern port cityโs busy Jinnah Road area, sent plumes of black smoke into the sky and caused panic among residents. Television footage showed shattered glass scattered across streets from nearby shops, while frightened locals rushed out of the area. Several vehicles passing through were also damaged in the explosion.
Rescue operations underway
Senior police official Asad Raza confirmed that firefighters were deployed to douse the flames as ambulances ferried the wounded, including unsuspecting passersby, to local hospitals. Authorities said a number of those injured remain in critical condition.
Cause of blast still unknown
The immediate cause of the explosion remains unclear, but officials have launched an investigation. Explosions at fireworks storage facilities are not uncommon in Pakistan due to lax safety standards.
Similar incidents in the past
Earlier this year, in January, six people were killed in a similar blast at a fireworks warehouse in Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab. Thursdayโs blast in Karachi underscores persistent safety lapses in the handling and storage of explosive materials.
More details are awaited in this regard.ย