Pakistan: five dead, more than 100 hospitalised after toxic gas leak
- Karachi authorities, still trying to identify the source of the leak, have declared an emergency and advised residents to stay at home
- Panicked Pakistanis have turned to social media to express their concern as the government dismisses speculation the leak is actually a virus
On Sunday night, dozens of people were rushed to hospital after complaining of respiratory problems. The five who died include two elderly women and a child, while another 103 remain in hospital in serious condition.
All of the affected were residents of Keamari, a seaside municipality in Karachi. Situated on Hawke’s Bay, Keamari comprises western parts of the city including the Port of Karachi as well as an extensive coastline of sandy beaches, small islands and mangrove forests.
Karachi authorities have declared an emergency in hospitals across the city and advised residents not to leave their homes.
Karachi commissioner Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said the source of the gas leak was not known and investigations were under way.
Members of the Pakistan Navy’s biological team were deployed in Keamari on Monday to ascertain the cause of the gas leak. The teams collected samples from trees, sand and water to be sent for examination.