Explosions in Pak Ship-breaking Yard, 14 Dead

At least 14 people were killed and more than 50 others injured when a series of explosions rocked an oil tanker that was being dismantled at a ship- breaking yard in Pakistan's southern Balochistan province.

The fate at least 30 workers remains unknown following the explosions at the Gadani shipbreaking yard, where more than 100 people were working on the 8-foot-high ship at the time. Police and rescue officials said at least 14 bodies have been recovered. Trade Union Federation Nasir Mansoor said there could be up to 200 workers trapped inside the tanker.

Gadani is world's third-largest shipbreaking centres - after Alang and Mumbai - where more than 15,000 workers are directly employed while another two million indirectly earn their livelihoods from it. Ashfaq said the injured had been shifted to hospitals in Karachi. He said most of the dead where those workers who had tried to jump into the sea and drowned or were burnt alive. Some workers remain trapped inside the ship and a fire engine at the scene was unsuccessful in putting out the fire.

About eight explosions occurred in the oil-tanker due to gas-welding work, and more explosions were feared. A loud blast rocked a ship docked in the shipbreaking yard, setting the ship on fire.