Overview
- An early-morning explosion leveled a glue and chemical factory in Faisalabad’s Malikpur area, collapsing nearby homes and sparking fires.
- Officials reported 20 dead and several injured receiving treatment, with rescue operations winding down and site clearance in progress.
- Initial boiler-blast claims were revised after officials said no boiler was installed and preliminary findings pointed to a gas leak in the chemical warehouse.
- Police arrested the factory manager and later the owner, as an FIR alleged hazardous chemical storage next to residential houses.
- Rescue 1122 deployed dozens of vehicles from 5:28 am under district supervision, while labor groups demanded compensation and stronger safety enforcement.