A devastating gas leakage explosion in a residential building in the Soldier Bazaar No. 3 area has resulted in the deaths of 12 people, after a section of the structure collapsed.
According to the latest reports, rescue teams have recovered nine bodies from the debris, all of which have been shifted to the hospital. The incident also left 14 individuals injured, with varying degrees of severity.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, though officials fear two more individuals may still be trapped under the rubble.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) East, Nasrullah Abbasi, confirmed that the explosion was caused by a cylinder blast, the intensity of which caused the two-story building to crumble.
He highlighted significant hurdles in the rescue mission.
The building is situated in a densely populated area with very narrow streets, making it difficult for heavy machinery and ambulances to reach the site promptly.
The blast was powerful enough to completely destabilize the surrounding foundation, posing a risk to neighboring structures.
This incident follows another recent tragedy in Lyari, where a five-story building collapsed, claiming the lives of 14 people. These back-to-back incidents have raised urgent concerns regarding building safety protocols and the regulation of gas cylinder usage in congested residential blocks across the city.
