LASBELA: At least 11 labourers were killed and 58 injured as a ship caught fire due to explosions in oil tanker of the ship at Gadani Ship Breaking Yard on Tuesday.
The district management officials confirmed that 11 labourers were killed and 58 others injured when they were engulfed by fire flames after explosion occurred in the oil tanker of the ship during gas welding work to break up the tanker.
“Gas cylinder blast took place in the oil tanker when the laborers were engaged to dismantle the old ship which was brought at Gadani Ship Breaking Yard to dismantle it,” Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Harifal said.
Gadani Hospital medical officer Dr Younis Baloch said that earlier, injured were brought to the hospital and they were given first aid. “Later, the injured were transported to Karachi due to their critical condition.”
Police said that over 100 people were working on the old ship to dismantle it that was brought at Gadani Ship Breaking Yard from open sea.
“Around eight gas cylinder blasts took place inside oil tanker of the ship, due to which huge fire erupted that engulfed labourers engaged in work on the ship,” police sources said.
The rescue teams rushed to the scene and launched rescue and relief operation. According to doctors, condition of some injured was serious. Further probe was underway.
