Massive Karachi mall blaze leaves eight dead, dozens missing
Massive Karachi mall blaze leaves eight dead, dozens missing
A devastating fire roared through Gul Plaza in Karachi, killing eight people including a firefighter and leaving dozens unaccounted for as rescuers search the rubble.
A massive fire ripped through Gul Plaza, a sprawling mall in Karachi's busy commercial district, overnight. The blaze killed eight people, including a firefighter, and dozens remained unaccounted for as rescuers fought to reach victims trapped inside.
The building housed around 1,200 stores across 8,000 square meters. Parts of the structure have collapsed, complicating recovery efforts and raising fears the remaining sections could come down. Firefighters battled the flames for more than 24 hours before the blaze was brought under control.
Officials say the fire spread quickly, fueled by materials such as plastic foam, cloth, and perfume kept inside the mall. By Sunday evening, six bodies had been recovered and transported to the Civil Hospital, with dozens of injuries reported and police dispatching mass-disaster protocols.
Authorities are investigating the cause, with initial suspicion pointing to a short circuit. Rescue teams say they are still working to locate the missing shoppers and workers, while administrators set up a desk to register the names of missing people. The incident has reignited concerns about fire safety standards in Karachi's crowded shopping centers.
Residents and business owners expressed shock at the scale of the disaster, and many wait outside the rubble for news as investigators examine debris and officials coordinate ongoing rescue efforts.
