Provincial Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan told local broadcaster that the explosion appeared to be a targeted attack aimed at foreigners
A massive explosion outside Karachi Airport on Sunday, October 6, 2024, left two people dead and at least eight others injured, officials confirmed. The blast occurred near Pakistan’s largest airport when a tanker exploded, sparking widespread panic and drawing a heavy security response. Initial reports suggested the blast was an accident, but authorities are now investigating the possibility of an attack.
Provincial Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan told local broadcaster that the explosion appeared to be a targeted attack aimed at foreigners. A senior official from the Home Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the attack was directed at Chinese nationals, one of whom was among the injured. Chinese workers are present in large numbers in Pakistan, primarily involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, a multibillion-dollar project connecting South and Central Asia with China.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames engulfing vehicles as a thick column of smoke rose from the scene. Videos circulating on social media captured the aftermath of the explosion, showing intense flames and damaged cars. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area, and military personnel were deployed to secure the site.
Deputy Inspector General East, Azfar Mahesar, stated that initial evidence pointed to an oil tanker explosion but noted that investigations were still underway. “We are determining the nature and reasons for the blast. It takes time,” Mahesar told reporters, adding that police officers were among those injured.
The explosion’s impact was felt across the airport, with nearby buildings shaken by the force of the blast. “The blast was so powerful that it shook the airport’s buildings,” said Rahat Hussain, an employee of the civil aviation department.
While local officials, including the Home Minister and the Inspector General of Police, visited the site of the explosion, they refrained from addressing the media, fueling speculation about the true nature of the incident.
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, has seen incidents of violence in the past, but an attack of this magnitude near a major airport has raised new concerns about security. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine whether it was an act of terrorism or an accidental explosion.
