A massive chemical factory explosion in Faisalabad’s Malikpur area has killed 20 people and injured seven, destroying nearby homes. Rescue teams worked for hours as officials ordered a full investigation and emergency response across hospitals and the district.
A devastating explosion at a chemical manufacturing facility in Faisalabad’s Malikpur area has claimed at least 20 lives and left seven others injured, triggering a humanitarian emergency across the industrial city. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, caused widespread destruction, levelling ten nearby houses, trapping entire families under rubble, and overwhelming emergency responders who worked through the night to rescue survivors.
According to local media reports, the blast erupted at a factory producing industrial adhesives near the Kabaddi Stadium Ground in Shahab Town. The explosion was so powerful that residents in distant neighborhoods reported hearing a thunderous sound that shook buildings and sent shockwaves across the city. Within seconds, flames engulfed the structure, spreading rapidly to adjoining homes and triggering collapses that further increased the casualty count.
The Express Tribune, a leading Pakistani daily, reported that the victims included children, women, elderly residents, and factory workers who were caught in the inferno or crushed beneath fallen debris. Rescue 1122 immediately launched a large-scale operation, deploying more than 150 emergency personnel and heavy machinery to clear rubble and search for survivors. District Emergency Officer Engineer Ehtisham Wahla supervised the operation, which continued for more than ten hours as responders raced against time to locate trapped residents.
Authorities mobilized a total of 31 rescue vehicles, while Faisalabad’s traffic police facilitated emergency routes to Allied Hospital and Allied Hospital-II. The district administration declared a state of medical emergency at both facilities, summoning senior doctors and specialists to handle the influx of burn victims, trauma patients, and bodies recovered from the disaster site.
Senior district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Nadeem Nisar, SSP Operations Nasser Mahmood Bajwa, the Chief Traffic Officer, and SP Madina Town, remained present at the site to monitor the situation closely. Their oversight aimed to ensure coordinated rescue efforts, streamline hospital transfers, and maintain public order as anxious relatives gathered near the factory in search of missing family members.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation. Residents recounted hearing a deafening blast followed by plumes of smoke rising above the neighborhood. Many rushed toward the affected homes to help remove debris even before professional rescue teams arrived. Volunteers from Malikpur assisted emergency workers by carrying injured victims, offering water to responders, and coordinating makeshift first-aid efforts.
Locals expressed frustration over the alleged lack of safety measures in the factory, claiming that hazardous material storage practices may have contributed to the severity of the explosion. Several residents also voiced concerns about the proximity of chemical plants to residential areas, calling the tragedy a painful reminder of repeated safety lapses in Faisalabad’s industrial zones.
Political leaders and senior government officials expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz conveyed condolences to the grieving families and directed the administration to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. She ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the cause of the explosion and asked Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar to submit a detailed report at the earliest.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also expressed grief, urging authorities to hold accountable anyone found responsible for negligence. He emphasized the importance of enforcing industrial safety regulations to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As rescue operations concluded, authorities began the process of identifying victims and assessing the extent of property damage. Many families have been displaced, their homes reduced to rubble. Relief efforts are now underway to provide temporary shelter, food, and financial assistance to affected households.
The Faisalabad factory explosion stands as one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years in Punjab. The tragedy has reignited a national debate on the need for stricter industrial compliance, improved oversight, and better enforcement of safety protocols in densely populated urban areas. For now, the focus remains on supporting survivors, mourning the lives lost, and ensuring that justice is delivered to the families shattered by this catastrophic event.
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