At least three people were injured on Friday in a gas explosion in Karachi’s Mehmoodabad area, police and rescue workers said, less than a week after the Shershah gas blast that left eighteen people dead.

According to Aaj News, the injured people were identified as Bilal, Dilawar, and John, who have been shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment.

Several nearby shops, including that of a barber, were damaged by the blast.

SSP East Qamar Jiskani told reporters that the explosion that took place in an underground nullah (stormwater drain) was due to a gas leak, while adding that it fortunately it didn’t cause any major damage.

A heavy contingent of police is present at the site of the blast.

The blasts caused by accumulation of gases in Mehmoodabad and Shershah areas have put the focus on apparent illegalities in Karachi’s construction sector, including encroachment and unplanned expansion of concrete structures on state properties – especially pavements and nullahs.

The Shershah gas blast, which took place on December 18, left 18 people dead. The majority of those killed were employed at the branch of a private bank that suffered the worst fallout of the blast.

The provincial government is yet to come up with the findings of the blast as two separate inquiries have been instituted by authorities to investigate it. According to the police and the bomb disposal squad, the explosion occurred due to gas leakage in a nullah located under the branch of a private bank.

The Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, after examining the site, had ruled out the “natural gas leak possibility” from its supply system. However, investigators believe that the explosion was caused by the sewer gas accumulated in the sewage drain.

“It will be premature to reach any conclusion. There is a sewerage nullah here and there are several buildings along or over this structure. The MD-SITE has also been directed to submit a report on the accident,” Sindh Minister for Industries and Commerce and Cooperative Department Ikramullah Dharejo had told reporters after visiting the blast site.