A powerful explosion at a firecracker warehouse on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi injured at least 25 people on Thursday, sending shockwaves through the city’s busy commercial district. The blast, which originated in a shop beside the warehouse, triggered a massive fire and multiple secondary explosions, leaving the area in chaos.
According to police officials, the force of the blast shattered shop windows and nearby building glass, sending shards flying into bystanders. Many of the injured sustained wounds from the flying glass, while others suffered burns and fractures. At least ten victims were rushed to Civil Hospital, while the remaining were treated at nearby medical facilities. Among the wounded is a 70-year-old man with severe leg injuries.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the area, sealing MA Jinnah Road near Sea Breeze Plaza from both sides to ensure public safety. Police and Rangers also restricted movement around the site to prevent further casualties as rescue teams battled the flames.
The ground-plus-two building where the blast occurred housed both medical equipment shops and a large firecracker warehouse. Officials expressed concern over the presence of highly flammable items inside the premises, including oxygen cylinders, which were being urgently removed to prevent an even larger disaster.
The sheer intensity of the explosion damaged nearby vehicles, shattered windows of adjacent structures, and filled the surrounding air with heavy smoke drifting towards the Lines Area. Six fire brigade and rescue vehicles were deployed at the scene, working tirelessly to control the blaze, though intermittent explosions hampered their efforts.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation. Residents and shopkeepers rushed to help the injured, many of whom were bleeding from deep cuts caused by broken glass. “It was such a huge explosion. We managed to pull some people out before the fire brigade arrived,” said one witness.
Rescue workers confirmed that the explosion was likely triggered by a cylinder blast, which ignited stored firecrackers in the building. A rescue personnel further claimed that explosive material was being packed at the back of the warehouse, increasing the scale of the tragedy.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the storage of hazardous and flammable materials in densely populated commercial areas of Karachi. Experts warn that stricter enforcement of safety regulations is urgently needed to prevent such catastrophic accidents in the future.
As firefighters continued their efforts late into the night, authorities pledged to investigate the cause of the explosion and determine whether negligence played a role. For now, the area remains sealed as rescue teams clear debris and ensure that no further threat remains.
