At least 15 people were killed in a devastating explosion at a glue-manufacturing factory in Faisalabad’s Malikpur, with rescuers pulling more bodies from the rubble.
According to Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar, the deceased include six children and two women while at least seven other people remain hospitalised with injuries.
The blast, which occurred around 5 am, collapsed the factory building and damaged nearby structures.
Initial investigations suggest the explosion was triggered by a gas pipeline that ruptured inside the chemical warehouse.
Four factories were reportedly operating as a single connected unit, and many of the victims were residents of houses adjacent to the site.
Commissioner Anwar noted that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz was personally overseeing the rescue operation.
Rescue officials said the factory’s boiler blast caused the collapse and ignited a fire. Debris removal is ongoing, with fears that more people may still be trapped.
Several nearby homes also caved in, leaving both residents and factory workers buried under rubble. Civil defence teams have joined the search, while the Faisalabad deputy commissioner supervises relief efforts on the ground.
The casualty count, which initially stood at three, rose steadily to 10 before reaching 15 as severely injured victims succumbed to their wounds and more bodies were recovered.
Authorities warn the toll could rise further as operations continue.