Police and the provincial government said a tanker truck exploded outside the airport, which is Pakistan’s largest.
A statement from the Chinese embassy said a convoy carrying Chinese staff of Port Qasim Electric Power Company (Private) Limited had been attacked at around 11pm, killing two Chinese and injuring another. He said there were also Pakistani victims.
Provincial Interior Minister Zia Ul Hassan told local TV station Geo that the explosion was an attack aimed at foreigners.
Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, most of them involved in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative connecting South and Central Asia with the Chinese capital.
Videos showed flames engulfing cars and thick smoke rising from the scene. There was a strong military deployment at the site, which was cordoned off.
The Chinese statement called the blast a “terrorist attack” and said China is working with Pakistan to handle the fallout. He called for a thorough investigation to punish the perpetrators and reminded Chinese citizens in the country to take safety precautions.
“The Embassy and Consulates General of China in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack (and) express its deepest condolences to the innocent victims of both countries,” the statement said.
Deputy Inspector General East Azfar Mahesar told media it appeared to be an oil tanker explosion.
“We are determining the nature and reasons for the explosion. It takes time.” Among the injured were police officers, he added.
The interior minister and inspector general also visited the explosion site, but did not speak to the media.
Rahat Hussain, who works in the civil aviation department, said the explosion was so big that it shook the airport buildings.
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