Rescue teams in Pakistan are engaged in a desperate search for survivors after a catastrophic fire tore through a shopping centre in Karachi, leaving more than a dozen people dead and dozens more missing.
Scene of Devastation at Gul Plaza
The fire broke out on Saturday at the Gul Plaza mall in Karachi, one of Pakistan's largest cities. The blaze ravaged the structure, leading to a partial collapse that has severely hampered rescue efforts. More than a dozen people have been confirmed dead, while over 60 individuals remain unaccounted for, their fates unknown as emergency services comb through the dangerous wreckage.
Families Gather in Anguish and Protest
Throughout Sunday, distraught families gathered outside the charred remains of the shopping centre, clinging to hope for news of missing relatives. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as frustration with the official response boiled over. According to local media reports, anger was bubbling when Karachi's mayor, Murtaza Wahab, visited the site on Sunday night – a full 23 hours after the fire began.
Crowds chanted anti-government slogans and protested vehemently about what they perceived as a critically slow response from the city's fire department. The delay has raised serious questions about the preparedness and resources of emergency services in the densely populated metropolis.
Search Continues Amidst Collapsed Structure
The primary challenge for rescue workers is the unstable condition of the building. Teams are carefully sifting through the collapsed sections of Gul Plaza, working against time to find any signs of life. The scale of the disaster has drawn national attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about building safety standards and emergency protocol in major urban centres across South Asia.
As the operation continues, the death toll is feared to rise. The incident stands as one of the deadliest building fires in Karachi in recent years, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into its cause and the subsequent emergency response.
