2 Killed, Several Injured In Massive Blast Near Karachi Airport Ahead Of SCO Summit

Karachi: 

A massive explosion near the Karachi airport was reported on Sunday night in Pakistan leaving at least two people dead and several others severely injured, while it also destroyed several vehicles. The incident was reported by the local Pakistani media, which stated that panic gripped the area after the massive blast at night prompting the security forces to rush to the site. A few television footage showed smoke rising from the area, with a large fire visible on a nearby road. "The sound of the explosion was heard in different parts of the city, including North Nazimabad, II Chundrigar Road, and Karimabad," said a reporter from Pakistani media. 

The Pakistan police and the provincial government said a tanker exploded outside the airport, which is Pakistan 's biggest. However, the provincial home minister, Zia Ul Hassan, told local TV station Geo that it was an attack targeting foreigners.

A Home Ministry official told the Associated Press that it was an attack on Chinese nationals, one of whom was injured. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media. Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, most of them involved in Beijing's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative that connects South and Central Asia with the Chinese capital.

Videos showed flames engulfing cars and a thick column of smoke rising from the scene. There was a heavy military deployment at the site, which was cordoned off.

Police surgeon Dr Sumayya Tariq said that one of the victims was in critical condition and that four of them were security guards.

Rahat Hussain, who works in the civil aviation department, said the blast was so big that it shook the airport's buildings. 

Further details regarding the blast are being awaited.