FAISALABAD: Death toll from the Faisalabad factory blast has jumed to 15, confirmed local admidnistration on Friday.
A boiler exploded at a chemical factory in the Malikpur area of the city. Six other people were also injured who were pulled from the debris, rescue officials said.
The blast triggered a fire that damaged several nearby houses. Rescue teams confirmed the factory fire was difficult to control due to stored chemicals. Fifteen fire tankers were deployed to extinguish the blaze.
Officials said the explosion destroyed the factory completely. Four children and two women died in the incident, including a young girl whose body was recovered from the rubble. Several others were injured.
Rescue teams reported damage to 10 surrounding homes. Windows shattered, walls cracked, and debris littered narrow residential lanes around the industrial site. Residents described panic and chaos as the blast shook the neighborhood.
Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir said the factory was about 25 years old. Over time, residential settlements grew around the industrial unit, creating a dense mix of homes and small factories. He noted that the area hosts around 100 factories, complicating safety monitoring.
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Authorities have dispatched a team to arrest the factory owner. Early assessments suggest the blast originated in the boiler, but investigators are probing for possible negligence or safety violations.
