3 killed, 12 injured in cylinder blast in Pakistan's Karachi

An excavator removes debris at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in a gas cylinder blast in a building in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, the rescue service said.

Salman Naseer, an official of the rescue organization Edhi Foundation, told Xinhua that the accident took place in Machar Colony area when new gas cylinders were being shifted to a shop of cylinders beneath a double-story residential building.

Soon after the blast, the building suddenly turned into rubble, he added.

The locals of the area immediately started rescuing the trapped people and were then joined by the rescue workers, Naseer said, adding that up to 15 trapped people had been recovered while at least one was still under the rubble.

A search operation to rescue the possible presence of other trapped people under the rubble was underway, according to the rescue official.

An excavator removes debris at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

People gather at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel and rescuers work at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

Ambulances are seen near the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel and rescuers work at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel and rescuers work at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel and rescuers work at the site of a gas cylinder blast in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18, 2023. At least three people were killed and around 12 others severely injured on Monday in the gas cylinder blast in a building in Karachi, the rescue service said. (Str/Xinhua)