The death toll in a fire which engulfed a shopping centre in Pakistan has climbed to 67, police have confirmed. Authorities report that 77 individuals are still missing following the disastrous blaze that struck Gul Plaza in Karachi on Saturday evening.
The extensive damage caused by the fire, which took around 24 hours to extinguish, has impeded rescue operations as emergency teams sift through the rubble of the 6,500 square meter complex. While some remains recovered have been only partial, officials have confirmed the identification of 15 victims thus far.
Gul Plaza housed approximately 1,200 shops across several floors, making it a bustling locale, especially during the current wedding season in Karachi.
Witnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly, exacerbated by the density of shoppers and blocked exits. Shop owner Rehan Faisal recounted, 'It only took about five to seven minutes for everything to burn before our eyes.' He emphasized that many were unaware of the fire until it was almost too late to escape.
As the facility was nearing closure for the day, most shopping center exits were reported to be locked, leaving only three accessible, according to senior police officials. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The extensive damage caused by the fire, which took around 24 hours to extinguish, has impeded rescue operations as emergency teams sift through the rubble of the 6,500 square meter complex. While some remains recovered have been only partial, officials have confirmed the identification of 15 victims thus far.
Gul Plaza housed approximately 1,200 shops across several floors, making it a bustling locale, especially during the current wedding season in Karachi.
Witnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly, exacerbated by the density of shoppers and blocked exits. Shop owner Rehan Faisal recounted, 'It only took about five to seven minutes for everything to burn before our eyes.' He emphasized that many were unaware of the fire until it was almost too late to escape.
As the facility was nearing closure for the day, most shopping center exits were reported to be locked, leaving only three accessible, according to senior police officials. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
