Police in Pakistan say that a bomb blast at a bank in the country’s financial city, Karachi, had left at least 15 dead and many seriously wounded.
Although it’s not clear what may have caused the blast, one theory suggests that the explosion at the Habib Bank Ltd, Pakistan’s biggest lender, may have been triggered by a gas leak.
Reacting to the explosion, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “My heartfelt prayers & condolences go to all the families of victims of the twin blasts at Sher Shah Paracha Chowk, Karachi. I am especially saddened to hear of the loss of our MNA Alamgir Khan’s father who also perished in the blast. May Allah give him strength to bear this loss.”
My heartfelt prayers & condolences go to all the families of victims of the twin blasts at Sher Shah Paracha Chowk, Karachi. I am especially saddened to hear of the loss of our MNA Alamgir Khan’s father who also perished in the blast. May Allah give him strength to bear this loss
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 18, 2021
A senior police officer said that the bank building may have been constructed over a sewage drain.
In a statement, Habib Bank said that its ‘sympathies’ were ‘with the bereaved families.’ “This loss of life was caused by an accidental explosion in a sewage line. The bank shares its grief with the bereaved families.”
— HBL (@HBLPak) December 18, 2021
Witness Mohammad Sameer said that he had left the bank just before the explosion adding that he rushed back to help people inside. He said, “Thank God I left the venue otherwise I would also been among the affected ones.”
Another witness, Mohammad Arsalan, said, “There were many people injured and trapped in rubble. There was a child trapped in rubble. We pulled him out. I pulled about 15 people from here with the help of other people here.”
A petrol pump nearby bore the brunt of the explosion, triggering speculations that militants may also have been behind the powerful explosion. Such was the ferocity of the explosion that the ground floor of Habib Bank was badly damaged, leaving a deep crater.