Six people, including a firefighter, have died in a major fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, and more than 50 people are reported missing.
The blaze, which broke out on Saturday night, remained uncontrolled even after over 20 hours. More than 30 people sustained injuries. The ground and mezzanine floors of the building have been completely gutted, and several sections of the weakened structure have collapsed.
Fire also destroyed years of savings belonging to hundreds of shopkeepers, as goods worth millions were reduced to ashes.
Authorities later confirmed that at least 50 people were missing. A help desk has been set up at the DC Office to register complaints. Families of the missing have lodged reports in search of their relatives.
Among those unaccounted for are a mall employee, Arif, missing since Saturday night, and four women from the same family who had visited the plaza for shopping. Witnesses reported hearing voices from the basement and inner sections of the building.
Firefighting operations remain under way, involving three snorkels, two water bowsers and 14 fire tenders. Firefighters face severe danger as the operation continues amid intense heat and structural instability.
Traders’ leader Atiq Mir said the fire caused losses of nearly Rs3 billion. He said each shop carried goods worth between Rs2.5 million and Rs3 million. With the wedding season under way and Eid approaching, he urged the government to announce a relief package for affected traders on the lines of the Bolton Market scheme. He added that a day of mourning and condemnation would be observed across the city.
