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Karachi fireworks godown blast kills two
[Geo News] A loud explosion occurred at a house being employed as firecracker-producing factory in Gharibabad area of Karachi, killing at least two persons and injuring 32 others including 14 women and nine children.A powerful blast occurred at 1730 PST at a godown with stored goods for fireworks, causing the two-storey building at which the godown was situated to collapse completely; while, over two dozens of nearby buildings were greatly damaged. Also, the gas pipeline passing through the area caught extreme fire triggering panic among the residents. The Sui Gas personnel arrived before long and cut off the connection, putting off the blaze. According to eyewitnesses, the blast was heard far and wide. The rescuers and relief team members faced great hardships in relief activities, as the area was over-crowded and has narrow streets; however, initially, the local residents on their own, took out the people trapped under the rubble and rushed them to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Liaquatabad General Hospital by the ambulances of Edhi and Chhipa Welfare. According to eyewitnesses, police, the Rangers, City government warden, town administration and their personnel arrived 45 minutes late on the blast site. On this occasion, police baton-charged the people gathered there to break them up. The crane of City Government and other heavy machinery clawed away the debris to rescue the injured from there. According to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mashhood Farooq, at least 27 injured were brought to the hospital, of them, four are in critical condition. Posted by: Fred 2009-06-27 |
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