KARACHI: Tragedy struck Pakistan’s commercial heart as a ferocious fire at Gul Plaza mall in Nazimabad killed six people, including a brave firefighter. Over 13 agonizing hours into the blaze, rescue operations persist amid collapsing structures and searing heat.
Reports from Sunday indicate over a dozen injuries, with victims flooding local hospitals. Firefighter Furqan’s body was found buried in rubble, a grim reminder of the risks faced by first responders.
Medical teams treated 15 at Civil Hospital’s trauma unit and burns ward; most have been sent home. Two others recovered at Jinnah Hospital.
Spanning two acres, the mall’s inadequate ventilation fueled the fire’s spread. Chief firefighter Humayun Khan told media: ‘High temperatures block access, and the building is now fully condemned.’
Sindh Building Control Authority inspectors are on-site, evaluating the wreckage. Rescue 1122 deployed 20 tenders and snorkels, yet the flames cling to the periphery.
‘We can’t confirm how many remain trapped,’ Khan cautioned, as operations grind on. The area remains cordoned off, prioritizing safety.
This comes after back-to-back tragedies that killed 23, raising alarms over building codes and emergency readiness in densely packed urban zones like Karachi. As the sun sets on day one, hope flickers for survivors while questions mount on prevention.
