A building collapse in Karachi, Pakistan, after a suspected gas explosion has resulted in at least 16 deaths and several injuries, with rescue operations ongoing.
In the early hours of the morning in Karachi, Pakistan, a tragic incident unfolded as a three-story building collapsed following a suspected gas explosion, claiming the lives of at least 16 people, including women and children. The explosion occurred around 4 AM local time, during a time when many Muslim families were preparing for pre-dawn meals during the holy month of Ramadan. Emergency services reported that an additional 13 individuals were injured due to the disaster, highlighting the severity of the situation in densely populated neighborhoods.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion, but preliminary assessments suggest it may have been linked to a gas leak. A senior city official, Nasrullah Abbasi, stated that the true cause would be determined through further investigation. This incident echoes past tragedies in the region, including a similar building collapse last July that resulted in the deaths of 27 people in Karachi, raising concerns about building safety regulations and enforcement in the area.
Karachi's government has identified around 600 buildings as dangerous, indicating a significant issue with construction standards and the stability of structures in the city. The frequent occurrences of building collapses in Pakistan, which has a population exceeding 240 million, emphasize the need for improved safety measures and regulatory oversight to prevent such catastrophic events in the future.
