At least 19 people lost their lives and several others were injured following an explosion at a chemical factory in Faisalabad’s Malikpur area.
The blast occurred at the Dyes Chemical Glue Factory in Naimat Colony, 203 Rab Malikpur, Faisalabad, and is believed to have been caused by either the factory’s boiler or the “cooker,” which is used to heat chemicals.
The explosion, which took place around 6 am, was so powerful that it caused the roofs of six nearby houses to collapse and damaged eleven more, according to rescue officials.
A family of four, including a husband, wife, and their two children, died when the roof of their home adjacent to the factory caved in, burying them under the rubble. The victims also included six children, two women, two elderly citizens, and factory workers.
Immediately after the explosion, local residents began rescue efforts, pulling bodies from the rubble before emergency services arrived. Rescue teams have since taken over and transported the injured to hospitals, with six people reported in critical condition. Authorities have increased search operations, fearing more victims may still be trapped.
The factory was operating illegally in the residential area. The owner, Qaiser, is on the run while police conduct raids to arrest him. The factory manager, Bilal Imran, and three other administrative officials have been arrested.
Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir has set up an inquiry committee to investigate the incident, including District Emergency Officer Ehtisham and Assistant Commissioner City Adil Umar.
The victims identified under the rubble include 45-year-old Ashiq, son of Muhammad Saleem, and his three sons: 25-year-old Ubaid, 23-year-old Umar, and 21-year-old Bilal. Another family lost three children: four-year-old Irfan, 10-year-old Ahmad, and four-year-old Azan Ali. Rehan, 40, and his 13-year-old sister Muqaddas also died.
Other victims included 40-year-old Fakhira, wife of Riasat, and her three children: two-year-old Ali Hasnain, three-year-old Jannat, and two-year-old Maham. Sixty-two-year-old Shafiq, his 55-year-old wife Maqsooda, and 28-year-old Shan, son of Akram, were also among those killed.