Rescue teams in Pakistan have recovered the bodies of at least 23 people from the charred wreckage of a major shopping centre fire in Karachi, with dozens more feared missing.
A Night of Devastation in Gul Plaza
Firefighters battled for nearly 24 hours to extinguish the massive blaze at the multi-storey Gul Plaza in the country's largest city. The inferno, which erupted on Sunday, was finally brought under control late that night, allowing emergency crews to begin the grim task of retrieving victims from the ruined structure.
City police chief Asad Raza stated that authorities are searching for 46 more people and fear the death toll could rise significantly. So far, only six of the recovered bodies have been identified. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Sye explained the horrific challenge, noting the remaining victims will require DNA testing as the "bodies were beyond recognition".
Rescue Efforts and Mounting Anger
Footage from the scene showed flames tearing through the building overnight. By Monday afternoon, most of Gul Plaza had crumbled, with cranes surrounding the unstable remains. The fire spread rapidly through shops storing cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods, according to the city's chief rescue officer, Dr Abid Jalal Shaikh.
The response to the disaster has sparked public outrage. Local media reported that when Karachi's mayor, Murtaza Wahab, visited the site on Sunday night, people chanted anti-government slogans, protesting the fire department's response time. Rescue services said they received the first emergency call at 10.38pm local time (5.38pm GMT) on Sunday, but by the time crews arrived, the fire had already engulfed much of the building.
Firefighters cited a lack of ventilation in the plaza, which caused thick, deadly smoke to fill the interior and severely hampered efforts to reach those trapped inside.
Compensation Pledged and a History of Tragedy
Sindh provincial chief minister Murad Ali Shah confirmed that 80 people were injured in the blaze, with 22 already discharged from hospital. Tragically, one of the deceased was a firefighter. Mr Shah announced the government would provide 10 million rupees (approximately £82,000) in compensation to the family of each person killed.
He admitted fault in the tragedy, stating, "I'm admitting that there are faults. I can't say whose fault this is. An inquiry will be conducted and heads will roll." The cause of the fire remains unknown, and police have launched an investigation.
This disaster is a stark reminder of Karachi's history of deadly fires, where many buildings lack adequate fire prevention systems. In November 2023, 10 people died in a fire at another city shopping centre, and a 2012 garment factory fire claimed 260 lives.
