Rescue officials said on Thursday that the death toll from a gas explosion at a residential building in Karachi has risen to 16.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Jamshed Asher told local media that the blast occurred at around 4:15 a.m. local time on the first floor of a three-storey building, stating that the building partially collapsed following the explosion, trapping several people beneath the rubble.

State-owned rescue service Rescue 1122 said search and rescue operations were continuing, with an urban search and rescue team and a disaster response vehicle deployed to the scene.

According to a statement from Rescue 1122, the structure comprised small rooms, complicating rescue efforts due to limited space and access.

Meanwhile, the Police Department have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion as emergency crews continue clearing debris at the site.