Karachi (Web Desk): At least six people died and dozens others were hospitalised due to poisonous gas leakage in Kemari area of Karachi on Sunday night.
According to police, dozens of victims were shifted to the hospital and cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
Those hospitalised had complained of respiratory problems.
As per sources, it was suspected that the gas leakage occurred during offloading chemicals from a cargo ship anchored at Keamari Jetty.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the concerned authorities to submit a report.
Provincial minister Saeed Ghani, social leader Faisal Edhi and others reached hospital and took overview of the incident.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi directed the port authorities to investigate the incident.
In a Twitter message, the federal minister said he has requested Pakistan Navy to dispatch their Nuclear Biological Chemical Damage (NBCD) team to investigate the source of the incident of poisonous gas in the area.
According to Chief Operation Officer of Ziauddin Hospital, Dr Fahim, the hospital had sent samples from the incident for chemical examination.
He said that some were affected by the gas and the others were already suffering from breathing problems.
Dr Fahim further said that those brought to the hospital include men, women and children.
Three patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition, he said adding that the patients have also complained of stomach ache.