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.