At least 13 people, including women and children, were killed and 11 others injured after a suspected gas explosion caused part of a residential building to collapse in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the Gul Rana Colony section of Soldier Bazaar. Victims were rushed to Civil Hospital for treatment, while rescue teams continue to search for anyone trapped under the debris.
According to a report of Dawn, District East police spokesperson said initial reports indicate a gas leak triggered the explosion, leading to the partial collapse of the building.
Police cordoned off the site and tightened security as rescue operations began immediately the spokesperson added.
Rescue 1122 confirmed that its urban search and rescue team and disaster response vehicles are actively engaged at the scene.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed grief over the loss of lives and instructed authorities to provide “the best possible” medical care to the injured. He also directed the Karachi commissioner to investigate the cause of the blast and ensure support for affected families.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar urged authorities to accelerate rescue operations and maintain proper medical treatment for victims. He stressed that updates on relief efforts should be reported regularly.
Karachi has a history of building collapses due to poor construction standards, illegal extensions, overcrowding, and ageing infrastructure.
In July 2025, 27 people died when a five-storey building collapsed in Lyari. The structure had previously been declared uninhabitable.
A month later, four workers of the Awami National Party were injured in Orangi Town after a gas explosion caused their office to collapse.
