Karachi gas explosion: 16 dead, several injured after illegal building collapse
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 19, 2026
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A gas explosion in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area caused a partial collapse of an illegal residential building, resulting in 16 deaths and 14 injuries. The incident occurred during Sehri time on Thursday morning at a residence in Gul Rana Colony, with the explosion originating from the building’s first floor. Rescue operations were launched immediately, leading to the injured being transferred to Civil Hospital. The deceased included eight minors, four women, and four men, spanning ages two to 60. Among the injured were seven minors.
The collapsed structure was a ground-plus-two-story building consisting of small, individual rooms, complicating rescue efforts due to its layout. Nearby structures sustained damage as well. Authorities cordoned off the area and initiated a search and rescue operation with urban search and rescue teams and disaster response vehicles deployed at the scene. Law enforcement ensured security around the site.
Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah expressed grief over the loss of life and directed immediate efforts to rescue trapped individuals, ensuring the best medical care for the injured, and providing support to affected families. He also instructed an investigation into the cause of the collapse. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about illegal construction, unsafe building practices, and aging infrastructure in Karachi.
Karachi frequently experiences such incidents, underscoring systemic issues with urban planning and safety standards. Previous collapses, like the 2025 Lyari tragedy that killed 27 people, have drawn attention to the city’s dangerous buildings, many of which have been declared uninhabitable by the Sindh Building
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026