At least 12 people were killed and several others injured on Saturday in Pakistan as a blast ripped through Paracha Chowk in Karachi's Shershah area.
A notice had been issued to the bank to vacate the premises so the nullah could be cleaned, Shah said. A nearby petrol pump was also damaged in the explosion.
Ten killed, scores injured in an explosion at a building in Karachi's Shershah Paracha Chowk area, this afternoon: Pakistan Media
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2021
The blast shattered windows of nearby buildings and many parked vehicles were also badly damaged.
Though it was not yet clear what ignited the gas, a team of explosives experts had been summoned to investigate, Police spokesman Sohail Jokhio told The Associated Press.