KARACHI: The death toll from Karachi’s Gul Plaza inferno rose to 14 on Monday as eight more bodies were recovered and firefighting efforts resumed after flames re-emerged from the smouldering debris.
The fire, which erupted on Saturday night at the mall located on M.A Jinnah Road, was finally doused after more than 24 hours on Sunday. A search operation was initiated amid fears of further casualties. Officials initially suspected an electrical short circuit, but said the cause has yet to be confirmed.
Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalal said that firefighting efforts have restarted from the Rimpa Plaza side, as flames continue to emerge from the smouldering debris.
Earlier today, South DIG Syed Asad Raza confirmed to media that eight bodies have been recovered since Sunday night by rescue personnel from the now-gutted shopping plaza.
“Fire safety operation has been completed. Cooling process has now started with the removal of debris from the site by KMC, TMC and Pakistan Navy personnel,” said the DIG.
Separately, Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told media that so far, five bodies have been brought to the Civil Hospital Karachi.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who visited the site of the incident on Monday, spoke to the media and said that “more than 70 people” remained missing.
“The reports of more than 70 missing persons are extremely alarming and constitute a major tragedy,” said the governor, adding that the incident has now “turned into a national tragedy”.
“Information about a pregnant woman being trapped inside is extremely concerning,” he said.
He further stated that determining the cause of the fire is necessary, but the priority for now is to save lives. “I am in constant contact with three major builders of the city for the restoration of the market,” he added, elaborating on efforts to provide relief to traders.
Tessori vowed to “stand with the affected people” until their losses are fully compensated.
The Sindh government has established a helpline to report anyone missing due to the fire or to direct their queries, which can be contacted at 0313-5048048, 021-99206372 and 021-99205625.
Traffic police announce alternate routes
In an advisory by the Karachi Traffic Police, the portion of M.A. Jinnah Road from Tibet Centre to Garden Chowk is closed to traffic due to ongoing rescue and recovery operations at Gul Plaza.
The traffic police advised that commuters heading towards Tower from Numaish should turn right at Capri and proceed via Saddar Dawakhana, Empress Market, Regal, Burns Road, or Fresco Chowk, then take the route from Dilpasand to M.A. Jinnah Road to reach Tower.
Commuters heading towards M.A. Jinnah Road or the Quaid’s Mausoleum from Fresco Chowk should continue straight towards Regal, turn right at Empress Market towards Frere Chowk, and then proceed to M.A. Jinnah Road.
‘Heartbroken’
United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Pakistan said she was “heartbroken” by the tragic fire at the shopping plaza.
“May strength be with the community at this time,” she said.
The German Consulate Karachi, in a post on X, said the incident at Gul Plaza was deeply saddening. “Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims, their families, and those injured.”
‘Delayed response’
The terrifying fire that erupted at Gul Plaza on Saturday night could have been contained sooner, but the delayed response and limited resources from the authorities allowed the blaze to rage unchecked for hours.
Traders and area residents said that timely action from the Saddar Fire Station, other civic bodies, and local officials could have saved lives and livelihoods, yet the firefighting operation only picked up in full force early Sunday.
Shopkeepers at the site told media that if the firefighting team had arrived with full force and resources, the scene would probably look very different.
One shopkeeper pointed out that the Saddar Fire Station is only a few minutes away, yet no timely action was taken.
A local resident said they were repeatedly told on Saturday night that there was a shortage of water, which hampered the operation.
People criticised the Sindh government and the Karachi mayor, questioning where the mayor and provincial ministers were during the crisis. They also highlighted that the condition of M.A. Jinnah Road makes it extremely difficult to position even two water bowsers side by side.
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