An explosion at around 5 a.m. today (Friday, November 21) in the city of Faisalabad, Punjab, killed 16 people and injured 7 others.
According to Pakistani media, the incident caused the collapse of the factory and a fire in nearby houses. Local officials said that most of the victims — including six children — were residents of the houses adjacent to the factory.
Initial investigations indicate that a gas leak in the factory’s storage area caused the explosion.
The Pakistani government has arrested the factory manager, and efforts are underway to apprehend the owner, who fled immediately after the incident.
Factory fires in Pakistan are not uncommon. In 2024, an explosion at a textile factory in Faisalabad killed 12 people. In recent days, an explosion at a fireworks factory in Karachi also killed 4 people and injured 11 others.
