KARACHI: A powerful gas explosion in a sewage system near in Mahmoodabad area of Karachi injured three people, according to police.
Reaching the site, the police alerted the Sui Southern Gas Company and other relevant authorities, and cordoned off the site. Rescue workers and Law enforcement personnel were also present at the site. A statement from the Edhi Foundation identified the three injured as Bilal, 17, Dilawar, 20, and John, 11. The injured people were shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medical treatment.
Multiple shops have also been destroyed in the gas blast with SSP East Qamar Raza Jaskani confirming that the blast was caused owing to accumulated gas in the sewer.
“SSGC gas line and accumulation of gases in the sewer caused a joint effect resulting in the blast,” Qamar Raza Jaskani said and added that fortunately, large-scale destruction did not happen in today’s explosion.
According to Mehmoodabad Station House Officer (SHO) Aijaz Pathan, a motorcycle mechanic shop that was situated on the sewerage line also collapsed. Eyewitness to the blast claimed that panic spread on the street when the blast occurred. Smoke and dust filled the air and it felt as if time had stopped, they added.
Earlier this month, at least 15 people were killed and 16 others injured when a building housing a private bank in the Shershah area collapsed due to a huge gas explosion in a nullah on which it was constructed, according to officials and witnesses.
Among the deceased was father of the ruling party’s lawmaker Alamgir Khan, Dilawar Khan, while most of others who died were bank employees or clients.
Officials have ruled out the possibility of any sabotage or terrorist act declaring that the explosion took place due to accumulation of gases in the sewerage line.
The bank building, a nearby petrol pump and some vehicles were damaged in the explosion caused by accumulation of gases in the drain underneath, officials at the Site police station said.
