A massive fire that erupted during drilling near an oil refinery in Korangi Creek on March 28 was likely triggered due to a concentration of a larger quantity of chemicals than permissible limits, it emerged on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab told Dawn that the report prepared by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) experts, who had conducted soil testing of the area and taken away samples, was expected to be submitted with the provincial and city authorities on Saturday.
According to a preliminary report on Sunday by experts of the University of Karachi, samples of boiling water were taken and sent to concerned institutions of the varsity.
While concerned officials have not made the findings of the report public, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan Khan told Dawn.com that chemical analysis of the boiling water has been shared with them.
He noted that excessive amounts of Benzene, Toluene and Tetrachloroethane has been found in the boiling water.
Regarding the quantity of chemicals found in the water, as per the chemical analysis, Tetrachloroethane was detected at 33 micrograms per litre instead of the permissible five micrograms per litre.
The preliminary chemical report also showed that the Benzene level was found to be 19 micrograms per litre instead of the allowed 5 micrograms. Similarly, Toluene detected at 15 micrograms per litre, exceeding the permissible limits of 5 micrograms.
The Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the chemical experts report showed that there was a concentration of chemicals. However, he added that the exact quantity of the chemicals at site of the burning inside underground/reservoir was still unclear.
He said that with each passing day, the intensity of flames was gradually declining.
