Karachi: Six dead, over 100 affected due to ‘gas leakage’

F.P. Report

KARACHI: At least six people died and dozens were hospitalised on Sunday over a suspected gas leakage here in the city’s Keamari area, police said.

Those hospitalised had complained of respiratory problems, police added, noting that the real cause of the case could not be ascertained. However, it was suspected that the leakage occurred during the offloading of chemicals from a cargo ship anchored at Keamari Jetty.

The deceased included two women as well. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took the notice of the incident and summoned a report from the authorities late on Sunday.

Authorities on Monday also temporarily halted the docking of cargo ships at the port in the wake of the leakage, sources told.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Ali Zaidi, also expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the port authorities to investigate the incident. However, the minister said that the incident did not occur in the port premises.

“I have just requested Pakistan Navy to dispatch their Nuclear Bilological Chemical Damage (NBCD) team to investigate the source of the incident of poisonous gas in Kemari area and take remedial measures,” he said in a series of tweets.

Earlier Zaidi had tweeted he had directed the KPT to investigate and establish facts.

Speaking to the media outside a private hospital, Zaidi said he had directed the hospital administration to provide urgent care to those hospitalised. “Most of those hospitalised are asthma patients,” Zaidi said.

Ziauddin Hospital’s Chief Operation Officer, Dr Fahim, told the media the hospital had sent samples from the incident for chemical examination. “Some were affected by the gas, others were already suffering from breathing problems,” he said.

“Those brought to the hospital include men, women and children,” Dr Fahim said, adding three patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition. “Many patients have also complained of stomach ache” he added.