Karachi University blast leaves four, including three Chinese nationals, dead

Karachi: Four people, including three Chinese, have been killed while several others sustained injuries in a blast that took place outside Confucius Department at University of Karachi on Tuesday, GNN reported.   

Sources privy to the matter reported that horrific fire erupted after the explosion took place in a van—with at least seven to eight people on board. 

Following the blast, Rangers and police cordoned off the site, initiating rescue operations.

The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital where the condition of three of the injured is said to be critical. Hence, more causalities are feared. 

The explosion was initially reported to have been caused by a gas cylinder. However, the police later said that the blast could have been a suicide attack. Sources further added that the victims were returning to the Confucius Institute from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

The deceased Chinese nationals have been identified as the director of the Confucius Institute Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sai, and their Pakistani driver, Khalid.

The Gulshan Superintendent of Police (SP) has called in a bomb disposal squad and said that an investigation is being conducted on whether the blast was a terrorist act or an accident.

In the meantime, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and SSP East to immediately reach the site. 

He also directed the concerned authorities to immediately shift the injured to Dow University Hospital.

More to follow...