Apartment building collapses as powerful explosion rocks residential area during pre-dawn meal
February 19, 2026: At least 16 people, including women and children, were killed after a powerful gas explosion ripped through a residential apartment building in Karachi early Thursday, triggering a partial collapse. The blast struck Pakistan’s largest port city as families were preparing their pre-dawn Ramadan meal. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and pulled victims from the debris, with the death toll rising from 13 to 16 as more bodies were recovered. Several others were injured, though officials have yet to release details about their condition.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the affected families. He directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and called for a swift completion of rescue efforts. The president also urged the Sindh provincial government to strictly enforce building regulations, inspect gas cylinder safety standards and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Natural gas is commonly used for cooking in Karachi and across Pakistan, but frequent supply shortages often push households to rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, raising safety concerns. The incident has revived memories of a similar explosion in Islamabad last July that claimed eight lives, including a bride and groom, during a wedding celebration. Authorities continue to search the rubble, fearing more victims could be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.