In pictures: Gadani shipbreaking yard fire

At least 16 people were killed and dozens wounded on Tuesday when a huge blast ripped through an oil tanker being broken up for scrap in the Gadani shipbreaking yard, some 45 kilometres west of Karachi.



Gadani is the second largest shipbreaking centre of the world after Alang, Mumbai where more than 15,000 workers are directly employed while another two million are earning livelihood indirectly from it.

Bystanders gather around the wreckage of a burning ship. PHOTO: AFP

Labourers gather after a gas cylinder explosion. PHOTO: AFP

Bystanders gather around the wreckage of a burning ship. PHOTO: AFP

Rangers and workers use a stretcher to carry a colleague after he was injured. PHOTO: AFP

Rescue officials shift an injured man into a hospital. PHOTO: AFP

Rescue officials shift an injured man into a hospital,

Labourers look on as the fire fighters attempt to put out the fire. PHOTO: AFP