Rescuers pulled three more bodies from the rubble of the collapsed Al-Amna Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, raising the death toll from Thursday’s fireworks warehouse explosion to six. Four of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
The blast occurred at a warehouse and storeroom used for storing and selling fireworks, located inside Al-Amna Plaza. The explosion triggered a massive fire, which was brought under control before rescue teams launched search operations.
Late Thursday night, rescuers recovered the second body from the debris. The charred and unidentifiable corpse was shifted to Civil Hospital. Bystanders, however, recognised the victim by his beard as 32-year-old Hamza. Married two and a half years ago, Hamza was the father of a young daughter. He ran a surgical instruments shop in Al-Amna Plaza, supplying equipment to hospitals. Goods worth millions of rupees were destroyed in the blast.
During the early hours of Friday, a third body was recovered and taken to Civil Hospital. The deceased was identified by his family as 40-year-old Shehzad Ali. Shehzad owned a hearing-aid shop named “Karachi Hearing” in the plaza, and was a resident of Korangi No. 5 with two children. His relative Dilshad said that despite searching several graveyards, they struggled to find space for his burial. Finally, after much effort, he was laid to rest in Chakra Goth cemetery, Korangi, following Friday prayers.
Later in the evening, rescue workers recovered a fourth body from the debris. officials identified the deceased as 20-year-old Sikandar, son of Rizwan. With his death, the toll from the explosion climbed to six. Four of the bodies were pulled from the rubble, while two of the injured had succumbed to their wounds at Jinnah and Civil hospitals on Thursday night.
Rescue 1122 officials said search operations at the site are still under way. Police have cordoned off the area and deployed additional personnel. Shopkeepers at Al-Amna Plaza told Express that it was still unclear how many people may remain trapped. They said a man named Ayaz, who was present at the plaza at the time of the blast, has been missing since, with his family desperately searching for him without success.
District South SSP Mahzoor Ali, accompanied by a Bomb Disposal Squad team, was present at the site.
He said that police had nominated the warehouse owner, Muhammad Hanif — known locally as Hanif Patakha — and his brother, Muhammad Ayub, in the case. Hanif is currently in police custody, while efforts are under way to arrest Ayub, who was reportedly his business partner. It was unclear whether Ayub was present at the warehouse at the time of the blast.
SSP Ali, stated that the warehouse of fireworks destroyed in the explosion was quite old. Investigations are underway to determine how long they had held a license and how its renewal process was managed.
He mentioned that the warehouse’s license has not been issued recently-it was very old. Since the warehouse existed, it implies that they previously held a license. He added that whatever findings emerge during the investigation will be thoroughly examined. He also said that the remaining fireworks in the warehouse are being inspected by the Explosives Department and the Bomb Disposal Squad, and their report will be released soon.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said the explosion was so powerful that it damaged the structural pillars of the building and shattered the windows of nearby shops and houses.
