FAISALABAD: A boiler explosion at a glue-making factory in Malikpur, Faisalabad, claimed the lives of at least 18 individuals and left dozens injured.
The powerful blast caused significant damage to parts of nine to ten neighboring houses, leaving residents and factory workers trapped beneath the rubble.
The explosion triggered a massive fire that engulfed the factory. Rescue efforts faced challenges due to the presence of hazardous chemicals, prompting authorities to deploy 15 fire tankers to bring the blaze under control.
Emergency teams recovered the bodies of men, women, and children from the site. Ten injured individuals were rushed to hospitals, including three admitted to the Burns Unit at Allied Hospital.
Out of the injured, seven remain in critical condition, while three have been discharged after receiving initial treatment.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over the incident and requested a comprehensive report from Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar.
Rescue-1122 officials described the explosion as so intense that it caused nearby homes to collapse. The district administration, alongside police and Rescue-1122 teams, responded swiftly and initiated a rescue operation at the affected site.
