At least 14 killed, dozen others injured in Karachi Soldier Bazaar gas cylinder blast

Incident occurred near Street No. 05 in vicinity of Aga Khan School at around 4:15am, says ASP Jamshed Ashir  

KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Feb 19^th, 2026) At least 14 people, including women and children, were killed and 14 others injured when a gas cylinder blast triggered the collapse of a residential building in Gul Raina Colony, Soldier Bazaar, in the early hours of Thursday.

The incident occurred near Street No. 05 in the vicinity of Aga Khan school at around 4:15am, according to ASP Jamshed Ashir. Rescue teams reached the site immediately after the explosion was reported and launched an operation to retrieve those trapped under the rubble.

Ambulances and volunteers of the Edhi Foundation and the Chhipa Welfare Association shifted the injured and deceased to Civil Hospital Karachi, where emergency has been declared.

Rescue sources confirmed that the deceased include Talha, 60-year-old Riaz, 10-year-old Sajjad, 44-year-old Zainab, and 17-year-old Afshan.

Authorities said one to two more individuals may still be trapped beneath the debris.

Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid stated that the explosion occurred on the first floor during Sehri and was caused by a gas leakage. The building was a ground-plus-two structure comprising small single-room portions.

The officials said the narrow lanes and limited space in the area have complicated rescue efforts.

The authorities further revealed that the structure was an illegal construction built on girders, and the collapse also damaged nearby buildings. Eyewitnesses reported that the intensity of the blast shook surrounding structures and spread panic in the neighbourhood.

Law enforcement officials and relevant departments are present at the site, while investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances of the explosion and building collapse.