The explosion destroys neighboring houses; search operations intensified amid fears of more victims
At least 19 people died and several others were injured after an explosion at a chemical factory in Malikpur area of Faisalabad.
It is suspected that the factory’s boiler or “stove”, used to heat chemicals, exploded.
The explosion, which occurred around 6 a.m., was so powerful that it caused the roofs of six surrounding houses to collapse, emergency services reported. 11 other houses were also damaged.
A family of four, comprising a husband, wife and their two children, died when the roof of their house adjacent to the factory collapsed, burying them under rubble. The dead included six children, two women, two elderly people and factory workers.
Immediately after the explosion, residents launched their own rescue operations, removing bodies from the rubble before emergency services arrived. Since then, rescue teams have resumed operations on site and transported the injured to hospitals for treatment, where six people are said to be in critical condition.
Search operations have intensified as authorities fear more victims could remain trapped under the rubble.
