Blast near Karachi airport kills two Chinese nationals, injures eight

Witnesses reported seeing flames engulfing vehicles and a thick plume of smoke rising from the scene. (Image: AFP)

A powerful explosion near the airport in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and injured eight others, late Sunday night, officials from both nations have confirmed. The blast, which occurred around 11:00 PM local time (18:00 GMT), was reportedly caused by an explosion of a tanker on the airport motorway.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers and investors returning from the airport. The embassy confirmed that the incident also injured one additional Chinese national and several Pakistani citizens.

The Chinese embassy has urged Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and their projects in the country. The embassy described the incident as a "terror attack" against personnel associated with the Chinese-funded Port Qasim power project.

The BLA has a history of targeting Chinese nationals, arguing that the local Baloch population is not benefiting adequately from the wealth generated by foreign investments in the resource-rich but impoverished Balochistan province.

Despite the blast, Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority reported that flights from Karachi continued without disruption and that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the explosion.

Witnesses reported seeing flames engulfing vehicles and a thick plume of smoke rising from the scene. A significant police and military presence was observed as the area was secured for investigation.

Deputy Inspector General East Azfar Mahesar indicated that the explosion appeared to be linked to an oil tanker. "We are determining the nature and reasons for the blast. It takes time," he noted, adding that police officers were among those injured in the explosion.

Provincial Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan stated that the explosion was aimed at foreign nationals, highlighting the ongoing security risks faced by Chinese workers in Pakistan, many of whom are involved in Beijing's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

(With inputs from agencies)