In the wake of a devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza Shopping Centre, the city is grappling with the shocking loss of life and the urgent need to address safety standards in public spaces. As recovery operations continue and grieving families await news of their missing loved ones, this tragic event serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preventative measures in ensuring the safety of citizens in commercial complexes.
The death toll from the fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre in Karachi has tragically risen to at least 60, following the grisly discovery of 30 bodies in a single burned shop, according to Pakistani officials. Search and recovery operations continued on Thursday, with emergency response teams engaged in efforts to locate more than 80 individuals who remain unaccounted for since the catastrophic blaze erupted on Saturday in the bustling commercial hub.
Karachi South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza confirmed that the latest fatalities were recovered from a mezzanine-floor store known as “Dubai Crockery.” The overall death toll is now estimated at 61, with officials indicating that the final count will be verified once DNA analysis is complete. Many victims had locked themselves inside the shop in an effort to safeguard themselves amidst chaos — local media reported that some had sought refuge from a stampede triggered by the initial fire outbreak.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the escalating death toll, directing that all debris removal operations be halted until every last body has been accounted for. Emergency teams have begun collecting samples from the remains found within the complex for identification purposes, with provincial health officials reporting that over 50 families have already provided DNA samples.
The delayed recovery efforts have drawn criticism from relatives of the victims, who voiced their anguish over the slow pace of operations. One family member, Faraz Ali, whose father and younger brother were trapped in the mall, emphasized their desire for closure, stating, “At least let us see them one last time, in whatever condition they are, so that we may say our final goodbye.”
In response to the tragedy, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, who is heading an inquiry committee formed by the Sindh government, visited the site and highlighted that the fire safety measures at the complex did not align with international standards. As investigations proceed, no definitive cause has been identified for the blaze.
Karachi has witnessed a series of deadly fires in the past, often attributed to inadequate safety protocols and issues related to illegal construction. Despite the recurrent nature of such incidents, the scale of this recent tragedy stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures to protect public spaces. In a similar incident, a fire at a Karachi shopping centre in November 2023 had claimed 10 lives, and an earlier catastrophe in 2012 at a garment factory resulted in the deaths of 260 individuals, underscoring the critical necessity for systemic change in fire safety practices in the region.
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