16 Dead in Pakistan Gas Leak Explosion (Comprehensive)

(Photo by EPA Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Sixteen people died when a building collapsed due to a gas explosion at a bank building in Karachi, a major city in southern Pakistan.

According to major foreign media on the 18th (local time), a gas explosion occurred in the sewer beneath a bank branch located in the Shersha district of Karachi, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of more than 16 people.

The explosion took place in the sewer under the bank branch building in the Shersha area of Karachi on the same day.

A Karachi police spokesperson stated, "The explosion occurred in a gas pipe running through the sewer," adding, "As a result, the bank building situated above was severely damaged."

It is explained that the explosion likely occurred when a fire ignited the gas that had accumulated in the sewer due to leakage. The bank branch was crowded with people at the time of the explosion, which increased the scale of the damage.

Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressed his condolences on Twitter to all the families of the victims regarding the two explosions that occurred in Karachi.

The police spokesperson explained that so far, the investigation has found no evidence linking the incident to terrorism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.