A powerful explosion at a glue manufacturing factory in Faisalabad, eastern Pakistan, has killed at least 16 people and left seven others injured, according to local officials. The early-morning blast not only collapsed the factory building but also flattened neighboring homes, igniting fires across the residential area and trapping families under debris.

The incident occurred around 5am local time in the Malikpur area of Faisalabad, located west of Lahore in Punjab province. Rescue teams spent hours searching for survivors, pulling victims from the rubble as flames engulfed nearby structures.

Gas Leak Believed to Be Cause of Factory Explosion

Preliminary investigations indicate that a gas leak inside the chemical warehouse of the glue-making facility triggered the devastating explosion. Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar told local media that chemical fumes had accumulated overnight before igniting, causing a powerful blast that tore through the building.

Authorities have arrested the factory manager, while the factory owner reportedly fled soon after the explosion and remains at large. Local officials say a manhunt is under way.

Nearby Homes Destroyed; Children Among the Victims

The explosion was so intense that it ripped apart the factory’s roof and crushed several adjacent houses, triggering fires in at least three residential buildings.

Television footage and images shared by Aaj TV showed towering flames, collapsed walls, and rescue workers navigating burning debris to reach survivors.

Officials confirmed that many of the victims were residents of the surrounding homes rather than factory workers. Six children were among the dead, deepening the tragedy for families already living in vulnerable housing near industrial sites.

Rescue Teams Battle Flames and Rubble

Emergency teams worked around the clock, digging through the wreckage to locate anyone still trapped. Geo News reported that the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where several remain in critical condition.

Local residents described hearing a deafening blast followed by the sound of collapsing structures and screams for help. Thick smoke filled the air as firefighters struggled to control the flames sparked by the explosion.

Industrial Accidents Common Across Pakistan

Factory fires and industrial explosions remain a recurring crisis in Pakistan due to poor safety standards, inadequate inspections, and high concentrations of factories in residential zones.

Recent examples include:

• 2024 textile mill explosion in Faisalabad, which killed 12 people
• Karachi firecracker factory blast last week, killing 4 and injuring 11
• Numerous small-scale chemical and textile factory fires over the past year

Safety advocates say these incidents expose the urgent need for stronger enforcement of industrial regulations and relocation of hazardous facilities away from populated areas.

Authorities Promise Full Investigation

Punjab provincial officials have vowed to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible to account. The government is also assessing the extent of damage to the surrounding neighborhood and preparing support for affected families, many of whom lost homes and loved ones in seconds.

As rescue work continues, the community of Malikpur is grappling with immense grief and devastation caused by yet another preventable industrial disaster.