At least 23 people have died in a massive fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi, Pakistan, with dozens still missing. The blaze, which started on Saturday, ravaged the Gul Plaza, a complex housing over 1,200 shops, and spread quickly through stores selling cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods.
Rescue teams were finally able to enter the building nearly 24 hours after the fire erupted, thanks to firefighters who extinguished the flames late Sunday. The death toll is expected to rise as authorities search for an additional 46 missing people. So far, only six bodies have been identified, but all of them will need DNA testing due to the severe damage caused by the blaze.
The government has announced plans to provide compensation of 10 million rupees ($36,000) to each family affected by the tragedy. The fire also claimed the life of a firefighter, and hundreds of people were outside the building, including shopowners and relatives of those missing.
"I've been left high and dry, reduced to zero; 20 years of hard work, all gone," said Yasmeen Bano, a shopowner who was forced to abandon her business. Her daughter, daughter-in-law, and sister were among those shopping at the time of the fire and have yet to be found.
"I don't know what has happened to them or whether they are alive," said Qaiser Ali, whose family members went missing during the blaze. "We are praying that all those missing come out safely."
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but an investigation is underway. Karachi, a city with a history of deadly fires often blamed on poor safety standards and illegal construction, has seen several such incidents in recent years.
In November 2023, a similar fire at another shopping mall killed 10 people and injured 22 others. In 2012, a massive fire at a garment factory in Karachi claimed the lives of 260 people.
Rescue teams were finally able to enter the building nearly 24 hours after the fire erupted, thanks to firefighters who extinguished the flames late Sunday. The death toll is expected to rise as authorities search for an additional 46 missing people. So far, only six bodies have been identified, but all of them will need DNA testing due to the severe damage caused by the blaze.
The government has announced plans to provide compensation of 10 million rupees ($36,000) to each family affected by the tragedy. The fire also claimed the life of a firefighter, and hundreds of people were outside the building, including shopowners and relatives of those missing.
"I've been left high and dry, reduced to zero; 20 years of hard work, all gone," said Yasmeen Bano, a shopowner who was forced to abandon her business. Her daughter, daughter-in-law, and sister were among those shopping at the time of the fire and have yet to be found.
"I don't know what has happened to them or whether they are alive," said Qaiser Ali, whose family members went missing during the blaze. "We are praying that all those missing come out safely."
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but an investigation is underway. Karachi, a city with a history of deadly fires often blamed on poor safety standards and illegal construction, has seen several such incidents in recent years.
In November 2023, a similar fire at another shopping mall killed 10 people and injured 22 others. In 2012, a massive fire at a garment factory in Karachi claimed the lives of 260 people.
hope the search ops happen ASAP so everyone can get some closure pls send positive vibes for the ppl affected 
and btw i cant even imagine how scary it must be to have your life's work go up in flames like that 
10 million rupees sounds like a good start but more needs to be done to help those affected financially 
... I mean, 23 dead already? It's like Karachi can't catch a break with all these fires happening left and right. And now they're gonna have to pay out millions in compensation, that's just on top of everything else 
. This fire was just the tip of the iceberg, mark my words 
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The investigation might not have the answers yet, but it's clear that safety standards need a serious overhaul in Karachi. And what about those missing people? My thoughts are with Yasmeen Bano and all her family - may they find some peace soon 
I was living in karachi last year and I'm still shaking thinking about what could've happened to my family if we were at the plaza when that fire broke out 
46 missing people?!?! that's just so many lives lost already 
and the cause of the fire is still a mystery... it's just so frustrating 
I'm hoping the investigation finds out what really happened and that justice is served ASAP 
... And 46 people still missing? That's a huge number 
... Karachi needs to take safety measures seriously, like they did after that other fire in November 
... My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy 
