In brief
A fire at a Karachi shopping center has resulted in fatalities and significant injuries. Rescue efforts face major challenges due to collapsing structures and heavy smoke. Local emergency services are working diligently to manage the crisis.
A catastrophic fire engulfed the Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, killing six people, including a firefighter. The fire erupted on the ground floor and rapidly spread to upper levels, causing parts of the building to collapse and complicating rescue operations. Over twenty individuals were injured, and emergency responders fear that some may still be trapped inside the multi-storey complex.Local authorities stated that flammable materials, such as plastic foam, clothing, carpets, and perfumes, contributed to the rapid advancement of the flames. As smoke continued to billow from the site, more than twenty fire engines were deployed in an effort to control the blaze, with concerns that the structure could collapse further. In a statement, Summaiya Syed, Karachi's police surgeon, indicated that the transfer of the deceased and injured to local hospitals was in progress, and mass disaster protocols were being implemented. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences and urged a thorough review of safety measures in commercial and residential buildings within the Sindh province. The situation remains dire as firefighters battle to secure the area amid ongoing dangers.