Death toll mounts to 19 after massive explosion rips through Faisalabad chemical factory
Blast destroys neighbouring homes; search operation intensified as more casualties feared
At least 19 people were killed and several others injured in an explosion inside a chemical factory in Faisalabad's Malikpur area early Friday morning.
It is suspected that either the factory's boiler or the "cooker," which is used to heat up chemicals, exploded.
The blast, which occurred at around 6am, was so powerful that it caused the roofs of six surrounding houses to cave in, rescue officials reported. 11 other houses have also been damaged.
Search operations have intensified as authorities fear more victims may remain trapped beneath the rubble.