Four people including three Chinese nationals – two women and a male – were killed and scores others including foreigners and members of different faculties were injured when a van parked inside Karachi University caught fire after a powerful explosion on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The van was standing in front of the Commerce Department building when the blast occurred. The blaze engulfed the whole vehicle reducing it to ashes. Rescue officials confirmed death of four people including three Chinese nationals, saying their identification was in progress.
https://www.24newshd.tv/26-Apr-2022/karachi-suicide-blast-shehbaz-shares-grief-of-bereaved
DIG Karachi East Muqaddas Haider also confirmed that three of the dead were Chinese nationals.
According to fire brigade officials, they have rushed fire tenders to the university after receiving the information about the blast.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the blast in the Karachi University and sought a reported from the interior minister.
https://www.24newshd.tv/26-Apr-2022/footage-shows-woman-blew-herself-up-outside-confucius-institute
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also briefed the prime minister about the casualties in the incident.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the blast in the Karachi University. Murad Ali Shah also directed to shift all the injured of the blat to the Dow Hospital in Karachi.
The chief minister sought a detailed report from the Karachi commissioner. He also directed deputy commissioner and superintendent of police east to immediate go to the blast site.
PM contacts CM Sindh
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's contacted the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The Prime Minister received information about the van blast from Sindh Chief Minister over phone.
PM Shehbaz expressed grief over death of two women, Chinese citizens and driver. PM assured Sindh CM that "Will do everything possible to help you in eradicating the monster of terrorism".
PM Shehbaz said that terrorists are enemies of Pakistan, adding that they will be eradicated through unity and collective efforts. The Prime Minister directed to provide best medical facilities to the injured.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah apprised the Prime Minister of the preliminary details of the blast at Karachi University.
Sindh CM visits Chinese Consulate
Murad Ali Shah visited Chinese Consulate, where he briefed the Chinese Consul General about the explosion in a van at Karachi University.
Sindh Chief Minister expressed sorrow over the death of three Chinese in the blast.
The Sindh Chief Minister assured the Consul General of a full investigation into the incident.
Murad Ali Shah said "We value the services of Chinese experts in the country and in the province."
Sindh CM said that some conspiratorial elements do not like Pakistan-China partnership.
This kind of thinking and characters will be treated with an iron fist, Murad added.
The Consul General thanked the Sindh Chief Minister for coming to the Chinese Consulate immediately after the incident.
Zardari, Bilawal condemn van blast
Former President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have condemned the bomb blast in Karachi. Both the leaders vowed to bring culprits to book.
Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. He expressed condolences to the Chinese government on the death of Chinese residents.
He ordered the Sindh government to investigate the bomb blast adding that those injured in the bomb blast should be given best medical care so that their lives could be saved.
Reporter Samar Abbas