Fri Nov 21 09:16:02 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
Gas Leak Blamed for Deadly Factory Explosion in Pakistan, Killing at Least 16
Faisalabad, Pakistan – A massive explosion at a glue-making factory in Faisalabad, Punjab province, early Friday morning has killed at least 16 people and injured seven, according to local authorities. The blast, which occurred around 5:00 AM local time in the Malikpur area, flattened the factory and ignited fires in adjacent homes.
Preliminary investigations suggest a gas leak within the factory’s chemical warehouse triggered the devastating explosion. Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar confirmed the gas leak as a leading cause, according to local reports.
The majority of the fatalities were residents of neighboring homes, including six children. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to sift through the rubble, searching for survivors and recovering bodies. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Authorities have arrested the factory manager and are actively searching for the owner, who reportedly fled the scene immediately following the incident.
The force of the explosion ripped apart the factory’s roof and caused significant damage to surrounding residences, sparking fires in at least three homes. Local media images depict intense flames and rescue workers battling the blaze.
This incident is the latest in a string of factory-related disasters in Pakistan. In 2024, an explosion at a textile mill in Faisalabad claimed a dozen lives, and a blast at a firecracker factory in Karachi last week resulted in four deaths and 11 injuries. These incidents raise serious concerns about safety regulations and enforcement within Pakistan’s industrial sector.
First Piper 