Story highlights

• Emergency declared at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi
• Firefighters put the fire out, as per updates by 12:02am
• Roads leading to the airport sealed
• Injured people were shifted to Jinnah hospital
• At least eight vehicles damaged after oil tanker blast

A powerful explosion ‘targeting foreign nationals’ just outside the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi left three people dead and eight wounded on Sunday evening, rescue officials and Sindh home minister said. At least eight vehicles were damaged in the explosion.

Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport was rocked by a massive explosion at around 11:00pm on Sunday. Initial reports suggested that an oil tanker had exploded.

However, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Lanjar confirmed to Iqtidar Anwar of Aaj News that the blast occurred near the vehicle of foreign nationals.

“The blast occurred at a place where a bomb squad waits for its visitors and takes them to their destination,” he said.

There were reports that three foreign delegates were about to arrive in the city. One of the security convoys was waiting at the Gharial Chowk for the vehicle. The second convoy was inside the airport.

Qaiser Kamran of Aaj News reporting from the scene said that an explosion occurred on a road that leads out of the airport to the Sharae Faisal. The location where the explosion occurred is often used by VIPs to park their vehicles with guards.

The person who died was a local driver, said rescue officials.

According to rescue officials, the condition of three out of the nine wounded people was serious. Six injured were taken to the Jinnah hospital and three to the private infirmary.

The nearest Shamsi Hospital treated four people, including three rickshaw drivers.

Lanjar also said that one of the injured was a foreign national.

Shockwaves from the explosion were felt several kilometres away in Defence and Gulshan-e-Hadeed. A great cloud of smoke billowed out of the oil tanker hovering next to the airport.

Footage aired on TV channels and making rounds on social media showed several cars and at least one SUV on fire as traffic continued to ply on the road traversing the exit road and some passersby took photos and videos.

According to updates by 11:38pm, fire brigade vehicles reached the site almost 25 minutes after the explosion. Since the fire was caused by oil, the firefighters would use foam to put the fire out.

Aaj News correspondent Saulat Jaffery said that residents of the area came out to help people and address the situation on their own.

Policemen and traffic police personnel were seen clearing the traffic and asking people to avoid travelling to the area “for now”.

Rangers and a police contingent cordoned off the area. An emergency has been imposed at the airport, according to officials. The people inside the airport would remain there “until the next order”. Moreover, people landing in the city would also remain inside the airport.

Law enforcement vehicles were checking other vehicles. Moreover, Rangers sealed routes leading to the airport.

It merits here to mention that armed personnel were not allowed in the airport and they were asked to wait outside near the street clock. Private security guards were also on duty there.

Sources said that a bomb was installed in a vehicle on that track.

The Civil Aviation Authority said that there was no damage inside the airport and “flights are operational as normal.”