Karachi, Pakistan – A devastating fire broke out in Karachi’s popular shopping center, Gul Plaza, where over 1,500 shops were simultaneously engulfed in flames. According to Fire Chief Officer Muhammad Hameed, the fire spread rapidly due to the congested market area, which is approximately 2 acres in size.
Senior Sindh Minister Syed Sharjeel Memon stated that the government is unable to determine the cause of the fire at this time. “There were over 1,500 shops, and the fire spread rapidly. We didn’t have a system in place to control the fire in its initial stages,” he said.
Fire Chief Officer Muhammad Hameed confirmed that there were no emergency exits in the market, making it challenging for firefighters to control the blaze. The initial cause of the fire remains unknown, with the first report of the fire received at 10:26 am. Within minutes, cars were parked outside the mall.
A 21-year-old woman who had arrived at the mall to shop is among the missing persons. After assessing the fire’s severity, the city’s entire fire station was summoned, along with their vehicles and personnel. Despite an abundance of water, the crowd overwhelmed the rescue efforts, resulting in the loss of a firefighter’s life.
Fire Chief Officer Muhammad Hameed, with 37 years of experience, described the scene as unprecedented. “I have never seen a fire of this magnitude in my entire career. The crowds and traffic hindered our operations, making it even more challenging,” he said.
If the investigation reveals evidence of sabotage, the authorities will take necessary action. Sindh government has announced assistance for the families of the victims, starting from tomorrow. The list of missing persons has been updated to include three more individuals.
In other news, a rescue operation in the country has been criticized for its slow pace, with the government acknowledging its failure to contain the fire within 34 hours.
Meanwhile, a recent earthquake in the region has been recorded at 5.8 on the Richter scale, with reports of a dolphin beached in Pasni and Jiwani. A mock military exercise in the country has been underway, focusing on modern air warfare tactics.
In a separate incident, a motorcyclist was shot dead in the city of Lahore. The police are yet to apprehend the culprits.
