A tragic gas explosion occurred in an apartment building in Karachi, Pakistan, on Thursday, leading to the deaths of 16 individuals, many of whom were women and children. The incident took place as families were preparing for the pre-dawn meal associated with the first day of Ramadan. Emergency services and local police are actively involved in the ongoing search for survivors amid the wreckage of the collapsed building, as rescue operations continue to dig through the debris for any potential survivors.

The police chief, Rizwan Patel, stated that emergency responders are focused on recovering those possibly trapped underneath the rubble. Local authorities have not released further details about the explosion, but it underscores a recurring issue in Karachi, where both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are commonly used for cooking. Many households experience low natural gas pressure, prompting reliance on LPG cylinders, which can contribute to similar catastrophic incidents.

This event highlights a significant safety concern regarding gas infrastructure and usage in Pakistan, reminiscent of a previous gas explosion linked to a wedding party in Islamabad in July, which claimed eight lives. As the search-and-rescue operation unfolds, the community grapples with the loss and the implications of such incidents during a time of religious significance, the start of Ramadan.