Three dead, 9 injured in Karachi building collapse

The picture shows a crowded street following a blast in Machar Colony, Karachi, on December 18, 2023. —Screengrab/Geo News

KARACHI: A gas cylinder explosion caused a two-storey building to collapse in Karachi's Machar Colony area, leaving at least three dead and nine injured, Geo News reported on Monday.

Another building was also somewhat affected and a vehicle parked outside the gas cylinder shop, where the explosion happened, was ruined.

Rescue teams arrived at the place of the incident and kicked off the rescue operation. Two dead and eight wounded were shifted to the Civil Hospital Karachi, the hospital administration confirmed.

The number of injured people is feared to rise as the rescue operation is still underway.

Police and rangers launched baton charge to disperse the crowd as it was creating hindrance in the rescue operation because of the narrow streets.

On October 11, an under-construction building collapsed in Karachi’s Shah Faisal Colony area, leaving at least three people dead and several others injured, according to police.

Following the incident, Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar had the next day suspended four Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officers for their negligence.