KARACHI: A man was burnt to death after an underground high-tension cable caught fire near Askari Park on University Road on Friday, rescue services said.

Rescue-1122 spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan said the man, purportedly a drug addict, was cutting an underground cable in a ditch when the fire erupted as it was a live high-tension wire.

He said an explosion also occurred, causing the structure to collapse. Three fire tenders managed to bring the fire under control. However, firefighters faced difficulties in removing the collapsed structure.

A KE spokesperson stated that an attempt was made to illegally tamper with electricity cables at a site where Bus Rapid Transit Red Line development work was underway.

“As a result, a tragic incident occurred in which an individual, who apparently tampered with the wires with the intention of stealing them, was reportedly killed,” he said, adding: “KE is in contact with the relevant administration and law enforcement agencies in this regard.”

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026