Karachi oil terminal fire leaves two dead, interrupts petrol supply across Pakistan

KARACHI: A massive fire that erupted Thursday at an oil terminal at Karachi's Keamari locality left at least two people dead and interrupted petroleum supply across Pakistan, before security personnel controlled the inferno.

Police said the bodies of two people who were working at the Keamari oil terminal at the time of the blaze were recovered and identified. Both individuals were residents of the Kutchi Para neighbourhood nearby.

Rescue officials said at least four others were injured as well.

The blaze was stopped from spreading further after nine fire brigade vehicles participated in the extinguishing process. Rangers and Pakistan Navy personnel also joined the rescue efforts.

'Huge fire' averted

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairperson Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar, who himself was wounded while on site to monitor efforts to douse the fire, said there were large oil reserves 500 yards away.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News, Akhtar explained that "had there not been an immediate notice [of the blaze], a huge fire could have erupted".

"The fire affected my hair and face," he said.

Following the incident, the All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owners Association (APOTOA) suspended the petroleum supply till the situation improved.

"We have suffered a lot from the fire,” APOTOA Vice Chairperson Shams Shahwani said, adding that the next course of action would be decided after the fire was fully controlled.

Traffic rerouted

At present, all the vehicles have been removed from the vicinity of the engulfed oil terminal, Shahwani added.

APOTOA Chairperson, on the other hand, identified both the deceased as drivers at the terminal.

According to Rangers officials, water board hydrants and additional fire brigade vehicles had been called to assist in dousing the flames.

The road leading to Keamari were closed for traffic and vehicles diverted from the ICI Bridge to an alternative route.

—Additional reporting by Ali Imran in Karachi