KARACHI: The scenes outside the CID building that was hit by a massive blast on Thursday night were chaotic — not so much because of the presence of dozens of curious onlookers but because of the over-enthusiastic and ill-trained rescuers.

The worst, in the aftermath of the latest blast, were perhaps the otherwise well-intentioned ambulance operators. At one point, their over-zealousness to reach the entrance gate of the targeted compounded ended up in blocking the entire road.

It was after quite a while that a few other relief workers, with the help of megaphones, convinced some of the ambulance drivers to remove their vehicles from the area and allow others to ferry the injured to hospital.

It is well-recognised that those who work for privately operated ambulance services in Karachi are perhaps the most conscientious. As always they were the first ones to rush to the spot within minutes of the explosion.

The wailing sirens of these ambulances could be heard from all roads leading to the PIDC building. Edhi and Chhipa ambulances were there in big numbers. Others like those of the Aman Foundation could also be seen struggling to find a way into the lane behind PIDC House.

And then, within no time at all, both the roads leading to the CID centre were chock-a-block with vehicles flashing red and orange lights, some trying to overtake the others by using their emergency siren.

Once at the scene, none had any idea what to do. Most had arrived at the blast site without any paramedics or medical emergency kits. Many had no clue how the injured were to be pulled out from under the debris, or how the crucial spinal cord had to be protected or excessive bleeding stopped. It almost appeared as if the tragedy had given them a reason to compete with one another.

Among those who were busy and, unconsciously, destroying crucial evidence, were the law-enforcers themselves. Scores had thronged to the building. No attempt was made for the first half an hour or so to stop anyone from going inside the compound, or even the main building.

Many of those witnessing the chaotic scenes thought this should come as a wake-up call for working towards proper organisation and training for paramedics and ambulance operators, with a blueprint for operating in such emergencies.