SSGC issues statement on residential gas explosion

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) issued a clarification on Wednesday after a lawsuit was filed against it, following a gas explosion at Karachi’s residential premises that resulted in the death of a husband and wife and burn injuries to their children.

In a statement, the SSGC said that under the Fatal Accidents Act, 1855, two separate suits were filed in the civil court of Karachi, seeking recovery of damages amounting to Rs50 million.

“The claims arose from an unfortunate incident in which a gas explosion at a residential premises resulted in the death of a husband and wife and burn injuries to their children,” it said.

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It added that while contesting these cases, the company had emphasized its fundamental position that no gas connection had ever been provided at the said premises.

“Therefore, if the company had not supplied gas to the location, how could it be held responsible for any alleged leakage?

The learned court, however, allowed the claim and held Sui Southern liable for negligence.”

The company said that it will exercise its right and will soon file an appeal against these decisions in the district court.

Earlier, a civil court directed the SSGC to pay Rs30 million in compensation to the children of a couple who died in a gas leak explosion in their Orangi Town home in 2022.

The daughter of the deceased couple had filed two identical lawsuits through her counsel, before a Senior Civil Judge (West)under the Fatal Accident Act, 1855, against defendant SSGC over the deaths of her parents due to their negligence.