A raging fire at Gul Plaza, a landmark shopping mall in Karachi, has left the city in shock, claiming 15 lives and leaving over 70 people missing. The incident unfolded Saturday evening in Pakistan’s commercial capital, with flames tearing through the structure for more than a full day before being contained.
Traders and locals are furious, attributing the massive destruction to delayed action by fire services and city officials. Despite the proximity of the Sadar Fire Station, help arrived too late, and inadequate resources prolonged the nightmare. ‘We called repeatedly, but they cited water shortages,’ recounted a survivor who watched helplessly as smoke billowed from the building.
Reports from Dawn and Geo News paint a grim picture: the fire spread unchecked due to limited equipment, only intensifying Sunday morning. Poor road conditions on M.A. Jinnah Road further crippled the response, blocking emergency vehicles.
‘Smoke filled the air first, then fire climbed to the top floors. Timely teams could have saved everyone,’ said a young witness at the scene. Sindh provincial authorities face mounting backlash for what many call a preventable catastrophe.
With the fire now 95% doused and cooling in progress, rescue teams sift through rubble for survivors. Officials hint at an electrical fault as the trigger, but questions linger over building safety standards. This tragedy underscores Karachi’s ongoing infrastructure woes, urging immediate reforms to safeguard its vibrant business district.
