Karachi's MA Jinnah Road firecracker warehouse blast leaves 34 injured

• Wounded taken to Jinnah, Civil hospitals, others to nearby facilities.
• Fire brigade battles blaze as intermittent explosions hinder efforts.
• Police, Rangers seal MA Jinnah Road near Sea Breeze Plaza.
  

KARACHI: At least 34 people were injured on Thursday after a powerful blast ripped through a shop beside a firecracker warehouse on MA Jinnah Road, leading to a massive blaze and intermittent explosions in the area.

The sheer intensity of the blast also damaged nearby vehicles and shattered windows of surrounding buildings, filling the area with heavy smoke drifting towards the Lines Area.

The ground-plus-two building housed medical equipment shops in addition to the firecracker warehouse. Authorities said flammable items, including oxygen cylinders, were being urgently removed to avert a larger catastrophe.

Police and Rangers swiftly cordoned off the site as rescue workers battled flames engulfing the godown. MA Jinnah Road near Sea Breeze Plaza was sealed from both sides to ensure public safety amid fears of further blasts.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq said that the number of injured persons reached 34.

She added that 20 wounded persons were brought to Jinnah Hospital and 14 others were taken to Civil Hospital while four of them are critical.

One of the victims injured in the warehouse explosion is in critical condition, according to the emergency in-charge at Jinnah Hospital.

Some of the injured had sustained burn wounds in the incident, and one patient in serious condition has been shifted for surgery, the official added

DIG South confirmed to Geo News that the impact of the explosion shattered the shop’s windows, sending glass flying into bystanders.

Ten of the wounded were rushed to Civil Hospital, while others received treatment at nearby facilities, he added. Many of the injuries were caused by window shrapnel.

After hours-long efforts, firefighting teams managed to douse the blaze at the warehouse. 10 fire tenders took part in the operation.

Rescue and fire brigade vehicles remained at the scene as the cooling process will be started shortly.

During the dousing process, the operation was hampered several times due to intermittent explosions.

Police officials told the media that the go-down was owned by two brothers, who also got injured in the explosion. They added that the initial statement of one of the owners had been recorded and it would be included in the investigation.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes.

"We saw people bleeding; it was such a huge explosion. We saved some people, and then we called the fire brigade, which then reached the location," said one eyewitness.

"There's an entire explosives-making factory inside. At the back of the building, they have a warehouse of firecrackers," said a rescue personnel, Shahid.

"There is also a 70-year-old among the injured, whose leg bone is completely broken. The incident basically happened due to a cylinder blast. At the back side of the building, they were packing explosives," he added.

Action taken earlier against same person

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said that the storage of explosive material is strictly prohibited in populated areas. “Two months ago, explosive issuing authority powers shifted to the Centre on the request of the federal government, and we [Sindh government] completed proper legislation."

"It is surprising to me that people are still keeping explosive material in the city," said Lanjar. The home minister detailed that earlier, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the police had powers to look into relevant matters.

He revealed that the CTD took "action against the same person" for keeping explosive material in populated areas and conducting raids.

He added that the provincial government was investigating whether anyone granted permission, or it was the warehouse owner’s personal decision to store explosive material in a populated area, which is tantamount to risking lives.

Lanjar vowed that action would be taken against the responsible.