In brief
A tragic fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi has left at least 27 dead and over 70 missing, as survivors share harrowing accounts of locked exits and scenes of panic. Many family members are still searching for their loved ones amid criticism of the emergency response efforts.
Muhammed Amin is beside himself with grief and despair. His brother, Naveed Memon, was inside Gul Plaza when a massive fire ripped through the densely-packed shopping centre in Pakistan's commercial capital, Karachi. Like dozens of others, he still hasn't been found. What should I tell my mother when I go home? What should I tell my nieces? asks Amin, recalling the painful wait for news.Housing an estimated 1,200 shops, Gul Plaza was a hub for local shoppers. Witnesses noted that the fire's rapid spread was exacerbated by locked exits and a high density of shoppers. Survivors recounted the chaos in the moments following the fire's outbreak, describing locked exits that made escape nearly impossible.With the confirmed death toll at 27 and more than 70 missing, search and rescue operations are hampered by the building's instability. Many relatives of the missing have gathered in the surrounding area, desperate for updates on their loved ones. Amid the chaos, calls for accountability have grown, with many questioning the delayed response of emergency services.
