A fire at a shopping centre in Karachi, Pakistan, has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives, including that of a firefighter, as local emergency personnel continue to combat the extensive blaze.
The incident, which occurred at the Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping center housing 1,200 stores across 8,000 square meters, has seen parts of the structure collapse, hindering rescue efforts.
Fire crews reported that when they arrived on the scene, the fire had already spread from the ground floor to the upper levels of the building, engulfing nearly the entire mall in flames.
A police official confirmed that the ongoing fire has prevented authorities from properly searching the site for potential victims. More than 30 individuals have been reported missing by concerned families, who have gathered outside the site of the fire, anxiously awaiting updates.
As the smoke continued to billow from the remains of the Gul Plaza on Sunday morning, worries of further collapses lingered among emergency services. The building's contents, including highly flammable materials like plastics and fabrics, contributed to the ferocity of the blaze, according to Hassan Khan, a spokesperson from Rescue 1122 in Karachi.
Dr. Summaiya Syed, the city's police surgeon, reported that six bodies and several injured individuals were transferred to the Civil Hospital for care. In response, the police initiated mass disaster protocols to handle the emergent situation.
In the wake of the tragedy, President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his condolences and emphasized the necessity for a thorough review of safety regulations governing commercial and residential buildings in Sindh, the province where Karachi is located.
