Pakistan Urgently Investigates Building Collapse After Gas Explosion, 16 Dead and Dozens Injured

On February 20, Straits Times reported a building collapse in the Soldier Bazaar area of Karachi, southwestern Pakistan, around 4:00 AM local time on February 19. The incident involved a 3-story building in a densely populated area that exploded before collapsing. Senior official Nasrullah Abbasi stated, "It's clearly a gas explosion, but the investigation will reveal the true cause." Building collapses are common in South Asia, typically due to substandard construction, illegal extensions, outdated infrastructure, overcrowding, and lax building regulation enforcement. Karachi has approximately 600 buildings declared dangerous. In a previous incident in July 2025, a five-story building in Lyari collapsed, killing 27 and injuring 10 people.