At least one dead and eight others were injured in a powerful blast involving an oil tanker near Karachi’s airport on Sunday night, according to rescue officials. Fortunately, sources confirmed that the injured are in stable condition.
“The Central Command and Control Rescue 1122 received the information, and the Rescue 1122 team, along with ambulances, reached the scene,” said a spokesperson from Rescue 1122 Sindh in a statement.
Witnesses reported that the explosion’s loud blast was heard across distant areas, with a massive plume of smoke rising from the oil tanker. The tanker, which was transporting fuel for the airport, caught fire at a signal just before reaching its destination.
Sources said that a bomb was installed in a vehicle on that track.
The interior minister of Sindh, Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar, confirmed that several vehicles were destroyed in a blast that occurred near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport as a convoy of foreign nationals passed through the area.
The fire from the tanker spread quickly, damaging at least eight nearby vehicles, including a rickshaw and a police mobile. Initial reports revealed that these vehicles could not be moved due to heavy traffic at the site.
Fire brigade teams arrived on the scene—around 25 minutes after the explosion. Given the nature of the fire, which involved oil, firefighters are using foam to control the flames. Rangers and police units have cordoned off the area, while an emergency has been declared at Karachi’s airport. Authorities have ordered people inside the airport to remain there until further notice, including those arriving in the city who will remain within the airport as well.
A bomb disposal squad was also dispatched to investigate whether the explosion was caused by something other than the tanker itself.
