Gas leak explosion damages shops, vehicles at Karachi’s Maskan Chowrangi

A devastating gas leakage explosion rocked a residential building near Maskan Chowrangi in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi on Monday, resulting in the destruction of three shops and causing significant damage to nearby vehicles.

Express News reported that the explosion, which occurred in a shop within the residential building, was so powerful that it sent visible cracks through the structure and triggered fear and panic among residents and bystanders.

The explosion also inflicted injuries on several individuals, including a motorcyclist, who were in proximity to the Allah Noor building at the time of the incident. Furthermore, debris from the building collapsed onto more than ten vehicles parked in the vicinity, causing extensive damage.

Authorities, including the bomb disposal squad, have determined that the explosion was the result of a gas leak that created a build-up of gas pressure exacerbated by exposed electrical wires.

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In response to the incident, the police apprehended two owners of the affected pizza shop and one of its employees for questioning. Residents of the building expressed deep concern, citing previous incidents of explosions in various shops within the residential complex. They contended that shops located beneath residential units often neglect safety measures, leading to such unfortunate incidents.

One resident recounted a similar explosion three years ago that claimed five lives, destroyed six flats, and damaged numerous shops. This latest incident has reignited concerns about the safety of establishments situated under residential buildings.

In the wake of the explosion, volunteers from local welfare organisations rushed to the scene to assist and transport the injured to a nearby hospital. Additionally, police, Rangers, rescue personnel, the fire brigade, 1122, Sui Southern Gas Company, and K-Electric swiftly responded to the situation, launching a coordinated rescue operation.

During the course of the operation, authorities discovered an open valve on a cylinder inside the pizza shop, raising suspicions that the cylinder may have emitted gas, leading to the explosion.

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Four injured individuals, identified as Adnan Ahmad Barki (46), Mohammad Waqas (30), Imran (40), and Mohammad Arshad (34), were hospitalised. Three of them received first aid and were subsequently discharged, while the fourth remains under treatment at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The police, after initial investigations, dismissed any allegations of foul play or wrongdoing behind the explosion. One resident likened the incident to an earthquake, describing the scene as filled with smoke and destruction.

It is worth noting that residential apartment rules prohibit the use of buildings for cooking purposes. Residents have repeatedly voiced complaints to relevant authorities regarding restaurants operating beneath residential units without adhering to safety standards, expressing grave concerns for their safety in such a setup.