A major fire has swept through a shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan, resulting in at least six fatalities and numerous injuries.
Distressing visuals captured flames engulfing Gulo Plaza shopping center, with firefighters battling the blaze overnight as crowds gathered outside the multi-story building.
According to rescue spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan, the fire originated in ground-floor shops but spread rapidly upwards, trapping individuals within the tall structure. Authorities implemented a “mass disaster protocol” to manage the situation.
Khan reported, “Upon our arrival, the fire had already ascended to the upper levels, enveloping most of the building in flames. The situation is critical, but six fire trucks are diligently working to contain the inferno.”
Sadly, the death toll and injury count rose as rescuers discovered victims within the fire. Police medic Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed six fatalities at Karachi’s Civil Hospital, with 11 injured individuals receiving treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
Emergency responders rushed to Gul Plaza shortly after 10 pm local time following reports of the fire. Many shop owners were closing their businesses when the fire erupted and rapidly spread.
Television footage depicted firefighters in protective gear combating the blaze using various tools, including ladders, water cannons, and hoses. Thick black smoke billowed from the building, visible from a distance, as emergency teams worked to extinguish the flames.
A statement from the Sindh Rangers indicated their involvement in supporting firefighters and aiding in the evacuation of trapped individuals within the structure.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities plan to launch an investigation post-extinguishment. The lack of fire prevention measures in Karachi and other regions often leads to such tragic incidents.
Officials noted that the fire expanded swiftly, originating in an area where imported garments, clothing, and plastic household items were stored, intensifying the blaze. Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, has a history of such incidents, including a similar fire in a shopping mall in November 2023 that claimed lives and caused injuries.