A devastating fire at a shopping centre in Karachi, Pakistan, has tragically killed six individuals, including one firefighter, as authorities and fire crews continue to battle the blaze. The incident took place at the Gul Plaza, a sprawling shopping centre featuring 1,200 stores, where parts of the structure have collapsed, complicating rescue efforts. Over 20 people have sustained injuries in the fire, and there are grave concerns that some individuals may still be trapped inside the multi-storey building. Local emergency responders reported that by the time they arrived at the scene, the fire had rapidly spread from the ground floor to upper levels, engulfing nearly the entire building in flames.
Authorities are currently unable to conduct searches for bodies within the shopping center due to the ongoing fire. Family members of more than 30 reported missing individuals anxiously await news outside the site. As smoke continues to rise from the charred remains of the Gul Plaza, officials worry about further collapses. Rescue personnel indicated the presence of flammable materials such as plastic foam and cloth within the structure, which may have exacerbated the fire's intensity. In response to the tragic event, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has called for an extensive safety review of commercial and residential buildings in the Karachi region.
Authorities are currently unable to conduct searches for bodies within the shopping center due to the ongoing fire. Family members of more than 30 reported missing individuals anxiously await news outside the site. As smoke continues to rise from the charred remains of the Gul Plaza, officials worry about further collapses. Rescue personnel indicated the presence of flammable materials such as plastic foam and cloth within the structure, which may have exacerbated the fire's intensity. In response to the tragic event, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has called for an extensive safety review of commercial and residential buildings in the Karachi region.
