• At least 18 people died after a glue factory explosion in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
• The explosion was triggered by a gas leak and caused widespread destruction.
• Authorities arrested the factory manager, while the owner fled the scene.
• Witnesses described the blast as feeling "like an earthquake."
• The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns in Pakistan's industrial sector.

On Friday, a catastrophic explosion at a glue-making factory in Faisalabad, eastern Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and left 21 others injured. Initial reports indicate that a gas leak triggered the explosion, which not only obliterated the factory building but also significantly damaged nearby homes, igniting large fires and spreading chaos in the area, as stated by local officials including Raja Jahangir, a local administrator.

Rescue operations revealed that the majority of the casualties included not just factory workers, but also residents from adjacent homes, with reports indicating that up to six children were among the deceased. Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with one individual noting that it felt "like an earthquake," and many thought the blast was a bombing due to its intensity. The rapid response from medical teams and rescuers was crucial for those who survived, as they worked to pull bodies and injured individuals from the rubble, according to local authorities.

In the aftermath of the incident, authorities have announced an investigation into the circumstances leading to the explosion, particularly scrutinizing how the factory was permitted to operate in a residential area, a violation of existing safety regulations. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and has instructed for proper medical care for the injured, highlighting ongoing issues of safety standards in Pakistan's industrial sector.