One killed as building in Karachi catches fire after explosion

Blast took place in cosmetic factory located in Karachi's Nursery area

KARACHI: At least one person died after fire erupted in a cosmetic factory located in Karachi's Shahrah-e-Faisal because of an explosion here on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Salman, 19, who was inside the factory when the blast occurred. His body has been shifted to Civil Hospital.

Rescue teams and security officials were rushed to the site of the explosion to douse the fire.

Initial reports suggest that the blast took place because of the chemical stored inside the factory. Police are also trying to ascertain the cause of blast.

Fire engulfs cosmetic factory in Karachi. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

On Tuesday, at least four men were killed and nearly a dozen wounded while trying to deactivate a dump of explosives near a cement factory. The fatalities include a police constable, a Rangers trooper, and an explosives expert.



The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), police, and Rangers were deactivating around 2,000 kilograms of explosive material when it detonated accidentally, according to the police. The explosives had been dumped by the previous management of Rohri Cement Factory outside the facility.

“The explosive material was meant to blast large stones at a nearby quarry,” a senior official at DIG Sukkur office said. “The present management had requested the police and Rangers to deactivate the explosives.”

This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.