Boiler explosion in Pakistan factory kills 15

A powerful boiler explosion at a chemical factory in the Pakistani city of Faisalabad early Friday killed 15 people and injured seven others, according to officials from Rescue 1122, the provincial emergency service.

Rescue spokesperson Farooq Ahmed said the first call reporting the blast was received at 5:28 a.m. The explosion occurred in Malik Pur Shahab Town near Kabaddi Stadium Ground and caused the collapse of a structure attached to the factory.

Emergency response teams were immediately sent to the site. Ahmed said 31 emergency vehicles and more than 145 rescuers, including specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams, were deployed. District Emergency Officer Engineer Ehtesham supervised the operation on the ground.

Multiple people were pulled out alive, but some later died due to severe injuries. The injured and the deceased were transported to a local hospital.

Initial findings suggest the blast was caused by a gas leak inside the boiler of a chemical factory that manufactured Samad Bond, a locally produced industrial adhesive. The site housed four factories in total. The other three, which produced glue, silicone and embroidery products, were closed at the time.

The blast also damaged nine nearby houses. According to the spokesperson, three of the victims were factory workers while the remaining casualties were residents of the surrounding area.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of life and instructed the Commissioner of Faisalabad to submit a detailed investigation report. Punjab Law Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan also called for a fact-based inquiry and directed officials to ensure high-quality medical care for the injured.

The minister additionally ordered authorities to seal illegal or unregistered factories operating in residential areas, conduct emergency inspections of industrial units located in populated zones, enforce mandatory annual boiler checks, and take strict action against violators.