At least 14 people were killed and more than 14 others injured after a gas cylinder explosion ripped through a residential building in the Soldier Bazaar’s Gul Rana Colony area of Karachi on Thursday.

The intensity of the blast caused the roof of the building to collapse, trapping several residents under the debris.

Rescue officials said the affected structure was a three-storey building with one room on each floor.

A large portion of the building was reduced to rubble, complicating relief efforts.

Authorities said narrow streets in the locality were making it difficult to move heavy machinery to the site.

However, rescue teams continued operations without interruption.

According to rescue sources, 10 bodies — including a woman and a 10-year-old girl identified as Nazia — have been recovered from the debris so far.

More than 14 injured individuals were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Rescue workers also managed to pull another young girl alive from the rubble and provided her with urgent medical care.

Speaking to the media, Rescue 1122 Director General Brigadier Wajid said that initial information suggested the explosion occurred on the first floor of the building.

He said the blast was likely caused by a gas cylinder or a gas suction machine; however, an investigation is going on to determine the exact reason.

Brigadier Wajid said there are fears that more residents could still be trapped beneath the rubble, as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors.

Using specialised tools, emergency workers are carefully cutting through twisted iron beams and shifting heavy debris to avoid harming any potential survivors.

Residents said the explosion was so loud that it echoed across the neighbourhood, causing panic among residents.

Police and emergency personnel continue to search for any survivors.