At least 34 people were injured on Thursday after a powerful explosion ripped through a shop adjacent to a firecracker warehouse on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, triggering a massive fire and intermittent blasts in the area.
The intensity of the explosion also damaged nearby vehicles and shattered windows of surrounding buildings, sending thick smoke drifting toward the Lines Area. The building, a ground-plus-two structure, housed medical equipment shops alongside the firecracker warehouse. Authorities acted quickly to remove flammable materials, including oxygen cylinders, to prevent further disasters.
Police and Rangers cordoned off the site as rescue teams battled the flames engulfing the warehouse. MA Jinnah Road near Sea Breeze Plaza was closed from both directions to ensure public safety amid fears of additional explosions.
According to police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed Tariq, 34 people were injured. Twenty of the wounded were taken to Jinnah Hospital, while 14 others were treated at Civil Hospital. Four of the injured are in critical condition, including one patient who has been shifted for surgery due to severe burn wounds.
DIG South confirmed that the blast shattered the shop’s windows, sending glass flying into bystanders. Several injuries were caused by flying debris.
Firefighting teams worked for hours to bring the blaze under control, deploying 10 fire tenders in the operation. Rescue and fire brigade vehicles remained at the scene to begin the cooling process. The operation faced multiple interruptions due to recurring small explosions.
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Police revealed that the warehouse was owned by two brothers, both of whom sustained injuries in the blast. The initial statement of one owner has been recorded and will form part of the ongoing investigation.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes. One eyewitness said, “We saw people bleeding; the explosion was massive. We rescued some, then called the fire brigade, which arrived shortly after.”
Rescue personnel added, “There was essentially an explosives-making setup inside. At the back of the building, a warehouse of firecrackers was being used. One of the injured is a 70-year-old whose leg bone was completely broken. The incident appears to have been caused by a cylinder blast during packing of explosives.”