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Karachi Builder Arrested After Gas Explosion Kills 15 in Soldier Bazaar Building Collapse
Police arrest building owner Mohammed Irshad after gas explosion in Soldier Bazaar, Karachi, collapses a 4-storey building, killing 15 and injuring 15. FIR cites negligence, illegal construction, and substandard gas lines.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-20
Karachi Builder Arrested After Gas Explosion Kills 15 in Soldier Bazaar Building Collapse

Police on Friday arrested Mohammed Irshad, the owner and builder of a Soldier Bazaar building that collapsed due to a gas explosion on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to 15 others.

Soldier Bazaar Station House Officer (SHO) Rizwan Patel confirmed the arrest after registering a first information report (FIR) against Irshad. The FIR, filed by sub-inspector Khalid Mehmood, cited sections 322, 288, 285, 427, and 337-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, covering murder, negligent construction, fire hazards, mischief causing damage, and punishment for bodily harm.

Incident Details

The tragedy occurred early Thursday morning in Gul Rana Colony when a gas explosion triggered the collapse of the building, which spanned roughly 40 square yards and had a ground plus three-storey structure.

According to the FIR, a resident, Shahid Rasool, and his family were on the first floor. Around 3:30am, Rasool’s wife lit a match to prepare Sehr while the room was already filled with gas from a leak, causing a massive explosion that destroyed the building.

Rescue teams recovered 15 dead bodies and transported 15 injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

Illegal Construction and Gas Lines

Authorities noted that the building had been illegally constructed around 2007–2008 using heavy-duty steel channels and nylon sheets. The gas connection was also installed unlawfully, with substandard pipelines placed in a haphazard and unsafe manner, directly contributing to the disaster.

The Bomb Disposal Unit examined the site and confirmed that the explosion resulted from a gas leak caused by low-quality piping.

Police have initiated investigations to determine further accountability, emphasizing that negligence and illegal construction practices were central to the tragedy.

The arrest of the builder signals strict action against unsafe construction practices and illegal utility installations in Karachi, aiming to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Tagged:

Karachi

GasExplosion

BuildingCollapse

SoldierBazaar
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