KARACHI: At least five people lost their lives and more than 20 wounded after an explosion in a four-storey building that also housed a private bank branch near Maskan roundabout in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Wednesday, police said.
Following the incident, law enforcers including police and the paramilitary Rangers personnel rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. Rescue teams conducted operation and moved the dead and injured to nearby hospital.
The building also housed grocery shops in the lower portions, while residential flats on the upper floors.
The building was badly damaged due to the explosion. Windows of nearby buildings and apartments and some vehicles were also damaged.
The Bomb Disposal Squad arrived at the explosion site to investigate the cause of the blast. The initial BDS findings suggest the explosion occurred due to a gas leak in one of the apartments.
Meanwhile, according to the report filed by Bomb Disposal Squad, the blast at Maskan area occurred due to leakage of gas.
It was found that the gas was leaking in an in-house pipe under the personal use of a customer.
In accordance to OGRA's and GoPs laws and directives, the standard of house pipe, its maintenance and any gas leakages are the sole responsibility of the customer, whereas SSGC is responsible for the service line, gas meter and regulator.
It may be noted that there has been no damage to any service line, valve and gas meter at the site of blast. All gas pipelines and all domestic gas meters along with three commercial meters installed at the blast site remained undamaged.
There has been no complaint registered with SSGC's 24/7 operational helpline '1199' from any customer residing in Noor Building. SSGC's teams regularly patrol in their respective zones to combat any emergency situation.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed grief for the loss of lives and has sought a detailed report of the incident from the authorities. He also asked authorities to ensure medical treatment to injured.
Karachi Administrator Iftikhar Ali Shalwani also reached the blast site and reviewed rescue works. He said that the nature of the blast could only be determined after an inquiry.
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz took to twitter as saying "Devastated at the news of blast in Karachi. My sincerest condolences to the grieving families and prayers for the speedy recovery of injured. I pray to Allah that the city of lights never recedes into darkness again and shines with peace and prosperity."
The Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi called the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the families of the victims complained about a private hospital’s attitude for its alleged refusal to treat the injured without fee in advance.
On Tuesday, five people got injured after a bomb exploded at the entry point of a bus terminal in Karachi’s Shireen Jinnah Colony.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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