KARACHI: Investigators probing the Shershah drain blast have decided to send several pieces of evidence collected from the scene to two labs for a forensic examination to determine the exact cause of the explosion, it emerged on Monday.

On Dec 18, a blast believed to have caused by accumulation of gases in a sewerage line that destroyed a building housing a private bank and other office killing 17 people.

As investigators were not sure about a preliminary report submitted by the bomb disposal squad that exiting of gases from the drain running underneath the building caused the blast, they decided to widen the scope of investigation.

DIG-South Sharjeel Kharal on Monday chaired a meeting to review the progress so far made in the case.

Samples being sent to KU and Lahore labs for forensics; authorities demolishing structures built on nullah

Talking to Dawn, the DIG said they decided to seek cooperation and help of other institutions as well for investigation purpose to ascertain the possible causes of the explosion and its deadliness.

He said they also held a meeting with the Punjab’s Forensic Science Agency’s experts and sought guidelines from them about collection of evidence and its proper packaging for sending to them.

He said that ‘main evidence’ would be sent to Lahore while some other pieces would be sent to a forensic lab of Karachi University to determine the cause of the explosion.

Doubts over SSGC version

Besides, it was also under investigation whether a gas line of the Sui Southern Gas Company passed through the area or not, the DIG said.

Initially, the SSGC had claimed that their gas line did not pass through the area, but one of the top investigators said that this might not be true as it had been noticed institutions concerned tended to absolve themselves from any responsibility in case of such tragedies.

The DIG said they would approach environmental experts to assess the possibility of the existence of gas in the atmosphere to determine as to why the blast was so deadly.

He said the investigators would expose any institution or the bank concerned if found negligent during the course of their probe.

Also on Monday, a team of investigators led by Keamari SSP (Investigation) Abdullah Memon visited the scene and told reporters that the police had not concluded yet that the leakage of gases in the sewerage line triggered the explosion.

He said it would also be determined as to how the building was constructed on a 14-foot-wide nullah (drain). He said the investigators had asked the district administration not to demolish the remaining portion of the building as they were still collecting evidence.

Removal of encroachments from drain begins

The district administration has also started removing encroachments from the drain after the tragedy.

Deputy Commissioner-Keamari Mukhtiar Abro told the media that Shershah drain would be cleared from encroachments up to the Lyari river.

He said encroachments on the other side of the drain were being removed and when police investigators allowed them, they would also destroy the remaining part of the ill-fated building.

SITE Managing Director Munawar Ali Mahesar told the media that the statement of the SSGC about the absence of a gas line was ‘misleading’.

He claimed that the allotment of the building that housed the private bank branch was cancelled earlier this month.

The DIG-South said total 13 employees were posted in the bank but on Saturday only half of the staffs were working. He said total 17 persons, including five employees of the bank, died in the explosion.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2021