On August 21, 2025, a powerful explosion occurred at a shop adjacent to a firecracker warehouse on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, injuring at least 25 people. The blast triggered a massive fire and resulted in intermittent explosions. Authorities attributed the incident to a cylinder blast, which caused widespread damage and prompted urgent response efforts.
The blast, which occurred in a ground-plus-two building housing medical equipment shops and a firecracker warehouse, shattered windows, sending glass shrapnel into bystanders. DIG South confirmed the explosion’s impact, noting injuries from flying debris. Ten victims were rushed to Civil Hospital, with others treated at nearby facilities. Among the injured was a 70-year-old with a severely fractured leg.
Massive fire at Karachi Fireworks Factory injures 10 near MA Jinnah Road pic.twitter.com/QJpue7GnxL
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 21, 2025Police and Rangers cordoned off MA Jinnah Road near Sea Breeze Plaza to ensure safety amid fears of further explosions. Six fire brigade vehicles battled the blaze, hampered by intermittent blasts from flammable materials like oxygen cylinders, which were urgently removed to prevent a larger disaster. The explosion damaged nearby vehicles and surrounding buildings, filling the area with heavy smoke drifting toward the Lines Area.
A rescue worker, Shahid, reported an “explosives-making factory” in the building’s rear, highlighting the warehouse’s role in packing firecrackers. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with one stating, “We saw people bleeding; it was such a huge explosion.”
🚨🔴A powerful explosion occurred at a fireworks shop in front of Capri Cinema on M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi.🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/OehD7vAfLL
— THE UNKNOWN MAN (@Theunk13) August 21, 2025Karachi’s recent heavy rainfall, which caused urban flooding, has compounded the city’s challenges. The blast underscores the dangers of storing flammable materials in densely populated areas, raising concerns about regulatory oversight. Authorities are investigating the cause, with preliminary reports pointing to a cylinder explosion.
