Rescue officials confirmed that 34 people suffered burn injuries due to the powerful explosion. They were shifted to Jinnah and Civil Hospitals for treatment, where the condition of four victims is reported to be critical.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan revealed in a TV interview that the warehouse had three to four rooms filled with explosive materials. He said the fire turned into a fierce blast because of flammable substances, and firefighters are racing against time to prevent further explosions.
The district administration stated that over 10 fire brigade vehicles are engaged in dousing the flames. Shops surrounding the warehouse also sustained heavy damage due to the intensity of the explosion.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed authorities to control the fire at the earliest while ensuring immediate medical aid to the injured.
Sindh Home Minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar also demanded a detailed report from DIG South, ordering police reinforcements for rescue operations. He instructed investigators to include eyewitness statements and all available evidence from the site in the inquiry.
This tragic incident highlights the dangerous storage of fireworks and explosive materials in densely populated commercial areas of Karachi. The explosion not only injured dozens but also damaged nearby shops, raising serious questions about safety regulations and monitoring.
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The swift response of fire brigades and hospitals shows urgency, but the event exposes a recurring problem: lack of oversight on illegal or unsafe warehouses. Authorities now face pressure to enforce strict safety checks to prevent such disasters, while victims and their families continue to await justice and compensation.
According to police, 20 injured people were brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, including two with critical wounds, while 14 other men were brought to the trauma centre at Civil Hospital Karachi, with two in critical condition.
There was a three-storey building near Taj Medical Complex in Saddar where families resided on upper floors, while the facility was situated in the basement.
According to a statement issued by the Karachi Traffic Police, MA Jinnah Road is closed to traffic due to the fire, with traffic coming from Numaish being diverted towards Society Signal and Ali Raza Imambargah.
The traffic police directed citizens to call the Traffic Police helpline at 1915 for alternate route options “to avoid inconvenience”.
