NATIONAL NEWS
FAISALABAD: At least 13 people — including children and women — lost their lives after a massive boiler explosion ripped through a glue-manufacturing unit in Faisalabad’s Malikpur area, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The blast sent shockwaves across the neighbourhood, sparking a fire and causing serious destruction to nearby homes.
Rescue workers said the explosion triggered an immediate blaze inside the factory, prompting an urgent response to control the fire. The intensity of the blast was so strong that 10 surrounding houses sustained heavy damage, with shattered windows, cracked walls and debris strewn across the tightly packed residential lanes that had gradually grown around the industrial site.
Among the deceased were four children and two women, including a young girl whose body was recovered from under the rubble. Several others were injured as the explosion rocked the settlement, leaving residents in a state of panic.
Firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames due to the presence of chemicals stored inside the facility. Fifteen fire tenders remained engaged in the operation for hours as emergency teams attempted to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir told reporters that the factory had been operating for around 25 years, during which time the surrounding area had transformed into a dense mix of homes and small industrial units. He noted that nearly 100 factories are located in this cluster, creating significant challenges for monitoring safety compliance.
Authorities have launched efforts to locate and arrest the factory owner. According to initial findings, the blast is believed to have originated from a malfunctioning boiler, though a detailed inquiry has been initiated to determine whether negligence or violations of safety standards played a role.
Rescue teams continued their operations late into the day, navigating narrow streets and damaged structures to ensure all victims were accounted for and the fire fully contained.
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