After a fire destroyed a shopping center, more victims were found. Dubai: Rescue personnel found additional bodies during an ongoing search and recovery effort, bringing the total number of fatalities from the deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping complex to 14, officials said on Monday. It took more than a day to contain the fire that started late on Saturday night at the multi-story mall on M.A. Jinnah Road. Fearing that scores of people might still be trapped within the destroyed structure, firefighters and rescuers kept clearing debris on Monday.
Eight more bodies have been found since Sunday night, according to Karachi South DIG Syed Asad Raza, who confirmed on Monday that the firefighting phase is complete and that cooling and debris clearance activities are in progress with assistance from the KMC, TMC, and Pakistan Navy, according to news channel. Five bodies have been sent to Civil Hospital Karachi thus far, according to police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, who also stated that several victims are yet unidentifiable because of the severity of their burns.
Unsettling circumstances
After visiting the scene, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori described the situation as a national tragedy and called the reports of over 70 missing people “extremely alarming.” Information that suggested a pregnant woman might still be trapped within the building caused him to express serious concern.
Authorities stated that the precise cause of the incident will be ascertained following a formal inquiry, notwithstanding their initial suspicion of an electrical short circuit. According to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, 26 cell phone numbers connected to the location have been traced by police, and families of 59 missing people have contacted them. Sections of the structure that are physically safer are still being searched.
A delayed reaction
Authorities were criticized by traders and locals for what they called a tardy firefighting response, citing poor access and water shortages brought on by ongoing construction on M.A. Jinnah Road. Narrow entrance points, intense smoke, and water shortages during the early hours of the operation were among the operational difficulties that fire brigade personnel noted.
According to reports, the fire quickly spread across floors after beginning at a store selling fake flowers. The German Consulate and the UK High Commission, among other international embassies, sent their condolences and described the situation as extremely tragic. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah promised to take measures against those found guilty and stated the government would guarantee clear compensation for impacted traders and their families.
