Pakistan: Major fire in Karachi courthouse April 10-11

Event

A major fire erupted late on Tuesday, April 10, in a warehouse of the Karachi City Courts complex. The braze engulfed the area where records are stored, destroying evidence as well as ammunition recovered from arrested suspects, leading to a number of explosions. The explosions caused panic among residents of surrounding areas. The nearby MA Jinnah Road remained temporary closed to traffic.

Context

The fire, which may have been caused by a short circuit in the colonial-era warehouse, was extinguished on Wednesday morning after a six-hour battle. 

Advice

On a separate security note, individuals should be aware of high levels of violence in Karachi, where violent ethnic conflicts between different communities regularly take place. Criminal and political violence is also common - including robberies, kidnappings, and homicides - along with civil unrest. Individuals in this southern port city are advised to carefully plan all movements.