Fourteen Dead, Dozens Missing in Massive Pakistan Mall Fire
A catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza, a prominent shopping centre in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, has resulted in 14 fatalities, including a brave firefighter, and left dozens of individuals unaccounted for. As rescuers work tirelessly, the search for the missing continues amidst the rubble.
Key Details of the Incident
– Fire Duration: Firefighters battled the blaze for over 24 hours, having been alerted to the situation late Saturday night.
– Building Size: Gul Plaza, housing 1,200 stores, occupies an extensive area of 8,000 square meters (approximately 86,111 square feet).
– Structural Damage: Significant portions of the building have collapsed, obstructing rescue operations due to debris and inadequate ventilation.
Challenges in Rescue Operations
– Delayed Response: Local emergency services reported that almost the entire building was already engulfed in flames upon their arrival.
– Casualties: Families have reported at least 58 individuals missing, creating a scene of anxiety outside the remnants of the shopping centre, where authorities have set up a registration desk for the missing.
– Safety Hazards: Smoke continued to pour from the building on Sunday morning, and fears of further structural collapse loomed large.
Fire Quick Spread Factors
Hassan Khan, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122 in Karachi, indicated that the fire’s rapid escalation was fueled by the presence of highly flammable materials, including plastic foam, cloth, and perfume.
Ongoing Efforts
By Sunday evening, various sections of Gul Plaza were completely charred, transforming into ruins. Rescuers reported that the entire structure remains at risk of collapsing. To facilitate the search for additional victims, cranes are now being used to carefully move the debris; however, a thorough search is contingent on the area cooling sufficiently.
– Missing Persons: Authorities discovered that at least 26 of those reported missing were last traced inside the building using their phones.
Eyewitness Accounts
Zain, a shopkeeper at Gul Plaza, vividly recounted the panic as flames consumed his shop. My shops were burning before my eyes. We couldn’t even get the goods out of those shops, he lamented. Many onlookers noted that shopkeepers attempted to use fire extinguishers, but the inferno was simply too fierce to contain.
Government Response
In light of this tragedy, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari extended his condolences and instructed the Sindh provincial government to conduct a thorough review of safety measures in both commercial and residential buildings across the region.
As the search continues, families remain hopeful for news as rescue efforts unfold in the aftermath of this devastating fire at Gul Plaza.