12 killed in massive blast in Pakistan's Karachi city
Karachi(PTI): At least 12 people were killed and an equal number injured here on Saturday when a massive blast, apparently triggered by a gas explosion in a sewage system, ripped through the premises of a private bank situated on it, according to media reports.
Most of the casualties are reportedly customers and staff present inside the bank which was built on top of a covered sewage channel in Karachi's Shershah area and collapsed following the explosion, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Officials said that the cause of the explosion is being investigated as it cannot be ascertained whether it was a gas pipeline or a build-up of methane that took place inside the sewage system which led to the explosion.
"It might be a sewer gas blast as the bank was constructed on a nullah. It is too early to say whether it was a gas line or a sewer explosion. We are investigating," a senior police official was quoted as saying in the report.
According to a report in Geo TV, eyewitnesses claim that there are many people who are buried underneath the debris of the building.
Two excavators have been called to the site to remove the debris and rescue any persons trapped there.
A bomb disposal unit (BDU) has also arrived at the location which has been cordoned off, the Geo TV report said.
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Air India Express pilot arrested, granted bail in Delhi airport assault case
New Delhi: An Air India Express pilot accused of assaulting a passenger at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was arrested and later released on bail, as the offence is bailable, Delhi Police said on Tuesday.
The accused pilot has been identified as Captain Virender Sejwal. He was booked in connection with an alleged assault on passenger Ankit Dewan at Terminal 1 of IGI Airport, reported by NDTV.
According to police, a case was registered following a complaint, after which CCTV footage was examined and statements were recorded. The pilot was called for questioning and joined the investigation on Monday.
"Captain Virender Sejwal has joined the investigation. If the IO (Investigating Officer) is not satisfied with his reply, he can be arrested in the assault case. Investigation is being carried out in the matter based on merits and available evidence," NDTV quoted Delhi Police as saying.
Earlier, Ankit Dewan alleged that the incident took place during the security check process while he was travelling with his wife and their four-month-old baby. Speaking to ANI, Dewan said CISF personnel had directed them to a specific security screening area.
As per the report, he claimed that the screening lane used older machines and was already crowded, including airline staff and passengers carrying large musical instruments. Dewan said he asked his wife to take their baby through the ladies’ queue while he managed the luggage, which included multiple bags, trays and a stroller.
Dewan also raised questions to the airport operator DIAL, the aviation regulator DGCA, and the airlines, seeking clarity on the incident involving the off-duty Air India Express pilot.
