A Soldier Bazaar gas explosion left at least five people dead and 12 others injured after a blast tore through a three-storey residential building in Karachi on Thursday, rescue officials confirmed.
The explosion occurred on the first floor of the building in Soldier Bazaar No 3, causing part of the structure to collapse. Authorities believe a gas leak triggered the blast.
Police said initial findings suggest the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, possibly from a cylinder or a gas suction machine.
Rescue teams quickly launched an operation and used all available resources to search for survivors trapped under the debris. Several people were pulled from the rubble during the ongoing rescue efforts.
Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl identified as Nazia and a 60-year-old man, Mohammad Riaz. The body of a woman was also recovered, while the identification of another victim was still underway at the time of reporting.
Officials confirmed that a 14-year-old girl was rescued in an injured condition. Children were among those wounded and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Two individuals are still believed to be trapped under the debris. Rescue authorities said narrow streets surrounding the building have complicated access to heavy equipment and slowed operations.
Police have cordoned off the area and tightened security as search efforts continue. Emergency teams remain on site to clear debris and locate any remaining survivors. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause of the gas leak.
