A devastating fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping centre has claimed at least 23 lives, with authorities warning the death toll could exceed 50 as recovery operations continue. The blaze, which erupted late Saturday in the bustling Saddar area, raged for nearly 24 hours before firefighters brought it under control, leaving a trail of destruction across over 1,200 shops.
National Leadership Extends Support, Compensation Announced
In response to the tragedy, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone calls with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Both leaders expressed their deep condolences and assured the provincial government of full support. President Zardari emphasized mobilizing all resources for rescue operations and recommended a civil award for firefighter Furqan Shaukat, who lost his life battling the flames. PM Sharif underscored the need for a coordinated fire control system in densely populated urban areas and offered federal assistance.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a compensation of Rs10 million (approximately US$36,000) for the family of each deceased victim. He assured that affected shopkeepers would be rehabilitated and a committee has been formed to recommend a recovery plan, stating the plaza would be rebuilt.
Rescue Efforts and a Rising Toll
Rescue teams faced immense challenges, with access constraints and intense smoke hampering early efforts. Karachi Police Chief Asad Raza stated that rescuers were looking for 46 more people, indicating the scale of the tragedy. Only six bodies have been identified so far, with the rest requiring DNA testing as they were beyond recognition, according to police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed.
The fire, which spread rapidly through shops storing cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods, involved 16 fire tenders and 50-60 firefighters. The Karachi Water Board supplied over 431,000 gallons of water during the operation.
Investigation and a History of Tragedies
The provincial government has ordered an immediate forensic investigation to determine the cause of the blaze. A committee headed by the Karachi Commissioner has been formed, with assistance from the Forensic Laboratory in Lahore. Chief Minister Shah stated the inquiry aimed to correct mistakes, not target individuals, but promised strict action if evidence of sabotage emerged.
This incident adds to Karachi's tragic history of deadly fires, often attributed to poor safety standards and illegal construction. The city witnessed a mall fire in November 2023 that killed 10 people and the horrific 2012 garment factory fire that claimed 260 lives.
As grief-stricken families await news of their missing loved ones and the Senate offered fateha for the departed souls, the tragedy has sparked urgent calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety laws across commercial and residential buildings in Pakistan's largest city.
