Post by : Saif Rahman

A catastrophic blaze at the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has resulted in nearly 50 deaths, according to officials, as rescue teams persist in their search through the debris. The inferno, which erupted late Saturday, is now termed the most lethal in the city’s history within the last ten years.

The fire rapidly engulfed the expansive mall, which housed more than 1,200 family-run shops selling a variety of items, including wedding attire, toys, and household goods. The violent flames and thick smoke ensnared many shoppers and employees inside.

Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso reported the recovery of 20 to 25 bodies from the wreckage on Wednesday. “These remains are being sent to hospitals for DNA identification,” he stated, emphasizing that confirming the exact death toll is a challenging process. Initial reports had indicated that 29 had died.

Firefighters labored for days to control the fire, which was finally subdued by Tuesday. Once a bustling commercial center, the mall now lies in ruins, a landscape of ashes and twisted metal.

With at least 84 individuals reported missing, authorities fear that many of them may not have survived, suggesting the death toll could climb. Families and community members assembled nearby, lighting candles and holding up photographs of their loved ones as they mourned.

Shopkeepers shared their grief and disbelief. Rehmat Khan, a local trader, recounted that 18 to 20 people, including six of his employees, were in his shop when the fire broke out. “All of them are unaccounted for,” he lamented, highlighting the significant personal and financial impact.

This incident underscores the persistent fire safety issues in Karachi’s bustling commercial districts. Numerous older marketplaces are inadequately equipped with fire exits, alarms, and emergency protocols, putting lives at risk.

The Gul Plaza tragedy marks the deadliest fire in Karachi since 2012, when an industrial blaze claimed the lives of more than 260 individuals. Authorities have vowed to initiate investigations to ascertain the cause and to evaluate whether enhanced safety measures could have mitigated the tragedy.

#Global News