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Inquiry Committee Formed to Probe Fire at Karachi International Container Terminal
Karachi Port fire destroys 20 containers, mostly lithium batteries. Maritime Ministry forms inquiry committee to determine cause and assign responsibility. No casualties reported.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-17
Inquiry Committee Formed to Probe Fire at Karachi International Container Terminal

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs on Saturday announced the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the fire that broke out at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) on Friday.

According to officials, the blaze destroyed at least 20 containers, primarily containing imported lithium batteries. The fire erupted at around 1:35 pm near Berth Number 27 at KICT, a private terminal operating under the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

A press release from the ministry said that Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry constituted the committee to determine the cause of the fire and assign responsibility, emphasizing that such measures are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The committee will consist of senior KPT officers who will coordinate closely with KICT management.

The minister noted that the primary responsibility for safety measures lies with the terminal’s administration. He directed all concerned officials, including KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed, to deploy all available resources to contain the fire and submit a detailed report.

The press release praised the efforts of the KPT team, particularly General Manager (Engineering) Rear Admiral Kashif Munir, for their effective handling of the situation. It said that the fire was successfully brought under control with no loss of life reported.

A total of eight KPT fire tenders were deployed, supported by four from the Pakistan Navy, one from Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, and two from Rescue 1122. The coordinated effort prevented the fire from spreading and safeguarded port infrastructure.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that initial investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit inside one of the containers. The extent of financial losses and the final cause of the fire are still being determined.
Tagged:

KarachiPort

MaritimeAffairs

KICTFire

PortSafety
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