KARACHI: The Karachi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested the building owner following a devastating gas leakage explosion in Soldier Bazar that claimed 16 lives and left 14 others injured.
Key Details of the FIR
The case was registered at the Soldier Bazar Police Station on behalf of the state. The charges include manslaughter (Qatl-bis-sabab), negligence in building construction, and damage to property. The police confirmed the arrest of the building owner, identified as Irshad.
Investigation Findings
According to the FIR and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) report, the tragedy was a result of sheer negligence and illegal practices. A Ground+3 building was illegally constructed on a tiny 40-square-yard plot between 2007 and 2008. The entire structure relied on TR-girders and tiles rather than reinforced concrete, making it highly unstable. Furthermore, the building lacked proper gas infrastructure; instead, gas connections were installed illegally using substandard plastic pipes, which led to the fatal leakage.
The Moment of the Blast
The incident occurred during Sehri time. A resident on the first floor, Zebunnisa, attempted to light her stove. Due to the leaking plastic pipes, the room was already filled with gas. The moment a match was struck, a massive explosion triggered the collapse of the three-story structure.
CCTV Footage Emerges
Newly released CCTV footage shows the blast occurring at 3:47 AM. The video captures a massive cloud of dust engulfing the area instantly, followed by local residents rushing out of their homes to initiate rescue efforts.
