At least 10 dead in explosion at Pakistani ship-breaking yard

GADANI , Pakistan, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- At least 10 people died, 50 were injured and at least 30 are unaccounted for after a series of explosions struck a Gadani, Pakistan, ship dismantling yard Tuesday, emergency officials said.

The explosions occurred in an oil tanker ship being disassembled at the world's third-largest ship-breaking facility, which covers about 6 miles of the Arabian Sea coast in Baluchistan province. Some of the approximately 100 workers dismantling the ship were trapped within it. Some of those who escaped jumped into the water, India Express reported.

The entire ship was engulfed in a fast-spreading fire, rescue workers said. Eight explosions, caused by welding work, could be heard within the ship, and more are feared. Rescue operations were slowed because only one fire engine was present.

Baluchistan's Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Management Authority are conducting a joint rescue operation.