Container Fire Destroys Cargo at Karachi Port Terminal

A significant fire erupted among stacked containers at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) at Karachi Port in Pakistan on January 16. Firefighting crews responded quickly, but at least 20 containers were completely destroyed. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

The fire is believed to have started at approximately 1:45 p.m. local time near Gate 20 in the West Wharf area. While the exact cause has not yet been determined, early reports indicate that the blaze began in a single container before spreading rapidly to nearby units.

According to local sources, fewer people were present in the area at the time of the incident, as many workers were away attending Friday prayers.

The containers that were destroyed reportedly held hazardous cargo, including lithium batteries, chemical powders, and electrical equipment. Officials and technical experts believe the fire may have been caused or worsened by a lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, spontaneous ignition of chemical materials, or an electrical fault.