Karachi, Feb 20: The holy month of Ramadan, the holy festival of the Muslim community, has begun. On the day of the month of Ramadan (Thursday, Feb 20), a gas cylinder exploded in Pakistan’s largest port city, Karachi. At least 16 people, including women and children, were killed and many others injured when an apartment building collapsed in the disaster, police and rescue officials said.
Background to the incident:
A gas cylinder exploded in an apartment in Karachi while people were preparing food in the early hours of the morning in a residential area of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, local police chief Rizwan Patel said.
It was initially reported that 13 people had died in the disaster. Police said three more bodies were later pulled out from the rubble, taking the death toll to 16.
Rescue operations continue:
Some people are believed to be trapped under the rubble after an apartment building collapsed after a gas cylinder explosion, and rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors.
Condolences from Pakistan’s president:
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his grief and condolences to the families of the victims. He has also directed the authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. He has also directed that the rescue operations be completed quickly.