A massive explosion near Karachi airport in Pakistan on Sunday night reportedly killed at least two people, seriously injured several others and destroyed several vehicles. The incident was reported by local Pakistani media, which said the area was in panic and security forces rushed to the scene after a massive explosion overnight. Some television footage showed smoke billowing from the area and a large fire burning on a nearby road. A Pakistani media reporter said, “The explosions were heard in various parts of the city including North Nasimabad, II Chundrigarh Road and Karimabad.”
Pakistan’s largest tanker exploded outside the airport, Pakistan police and the provincial government said. However, state interior minister Zia ul Hassan told local TV station Geo that the attack was aimed at foreigners.
An Interior Ministry official told The Associated Press that the attack was against Chinese nationals, one of whom was injured. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Pakistan has thousands of Chinese workers, most of them involved in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which connects South and Central Asia with the Chinese capital.
Video showed flames engulfing the car and a column of thick smoke rising from the scene. A large-scale military deployment took place at the scene and the area was cordoned off.
Police surgeon Dr Sumaiya Tariq said one of the victims was in critical condition and four of them were security guards.
Rahat Hussain, who works at the Civil Aviation Authority, said the explosion was so loud it shook the airport building.
Further details about the explosion are awaited.
