At least 15 killed in Pakistan chemical factory fire
Islamabad, Aug 27 (EFE).- At least 15 people were killed on Friday in a fire at a chemical factory in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi, the main economic hub of the country, even as the search for victims continues.
The fire started in mid-morning due to causes that are yet to be ascertained and has already been extinguished, Karachi police spokesperson Zahid Ahmed told EFE.
“Fifteen dead bodies have been recovered and search for others is ongoing,” said Ahmad, adding that around 40-45 people had been working at the factory when the fire broke out, leading to fears that the death toll could increase further.
He said that two rescue personnel had also been injured during the operation.
Murad Ali Shah, chief minister of the Sindh province which has Karachi as its capital, sought an investigation into the accident’s causes.
He questioned officials over how the fire started and what security measures had been taken at the factory.
Industrial accidents are not uncommon in Pakistan.
In 2017, around 140 people were burned to death and nearly as many were injured in an explosion in a petrol tanker truck which overturned and caught fire in eastern Pakistan.
The worst accident of this kind took place in 2012 when a fire at a textile factory killed 260 people, although this was later found to be a case of sabotage. EFE
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