An explosion at a fireworks warehouse located in Al-AmnaPlaza on MA Jinnah Road Breeze Plaza on Wednesday night caused severe damage to the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jacob Lines No 1.
Principal of the school, Samina Naimat, told The Express Tribune that two school blocks, including the staff room, hall and science laboratory, were extensively damaged in the blast. Furniture, ceiling fans and cupboards were destroyed while debris from the structure was strewn across the premises. She said the classrooms, however, remained largely safe.
"The incident has left me shocked and distressed. Had this blast occurred during school hours, it would have turned into a major tragedy," the principal said, urging the government to ensure that fireworks warehouses are not allowed to operate in close proximity to educational institutions.
The school has an enrolment of nearly 1,000 students, with about 75 teachers and 10 non-teaching staff. Samina said officials from the Education Department had already visited the site, while the provincial education secretary's visit was due. The Education Works Department has been directed to carry out emergency repair works. "The building was already in a dilapidated condition. Now we demand its proper reconstruction and improvement," she added. Investigators have not determined the exact cause of the explosion.
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