Situation in Karachi's Keamari is now more critical than it was on Sunday night as the death toll rose to 10 on Tuesday after people inhaled a toxic gas, the nature of which has yet to be ascertained by the authorities.
More than 100 people have been shifted to hospitals out of many are are in critical condition. Hospitals near Kemari Clifton and Lyari are full, the vice-chairman of the union council in Keamari said. According to the hospital administration, the patients have been experiencing respiratory problems and stomachaches.
“My kid suffered respiratory problem soon after gas hit the area and I took him to the hospital where doctors advised me to shift him out of Keamari. I am moving my family to some other safe place," Fazal Sher, a resident of Sanober Sarong Compound, Keamari told Business Recorder.
Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered the evacuation of residents from the affected areas, local media reported. The decision comes following an emergency meeting convened on Monday night by the CM.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi has dismissed reports that the gas leak was caused by a ship that arrived at the port. "If there was any leak of poisonous gas from a ship, we would have had casualties on the docks or from the crew, but that is not the case. Therefore, as repeatedly requested last night, please stop spreading & believing in rumors. Once we have the report, we will inform all," he tweeted.
https://www.brecorder.com/2020/02/18/572083/panic-grips-residents-of-keamari-after-toxic-gas-kills-5/
The minister also visited the affected areas on Monday. "I took a tour of the whole Harbour today at KPT. It was business as usual with ships docked and cargo loading/unloading. Nothing unusual," he tweeted.
I took a tour of the whole Harbour today at KPT. It was business as usual with ships docked and cargo loading/unloading. Nothing unusual. pic.twitter.com/UJTj6oyWHy
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) February 17, 2020
Fed Min @AliHZaidiPTI is on a visit to the affected area to ascertain the situation in Keamri. He also visited Zaiuddin Hospital whereby Sec MOMA Rizwan Ahmed is accompanying him. Moreover, damage control plus an investigation is underway to find the root cause of the incident. pic.twitter.com/GCqbHGaYI1
— Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Govt of Pakistan (@MaritimeGovPK) February 16, 2020
A team of Pakistan Navy’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense had earlier conducted an investigation into the possible source of toxic gas leakage in the area. However, no details of the findings have been revealed yet.