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Deadly Karachi Mall Fire Claims At Least 23 Lives, Dozens Missing
The death toll from a devastating fire at Karachi's historic Gul Plaza shopping mall has risen to at least 23, with authorities fearing many more fatalities as rescue operations continue. The blaze, which broke out Saturday evening in Pakistan's largest city, has left 65 people missing and sparked widespread criticism of what many are calling a dangerously slow emergency response.
'A National Tragedy' Unfolds
Rescue workers have been painstakingly searching through the smoldering ruins of the iconic shopping complex, retrieving bodies and body parts from the collapsed structure. 'As long as we cannot determine whether these body parts belong to the same person or different individuals, it is difficult to confirm the exact death toll,' a senior police official told Dawn newspaper. DNA testing is underway to identify victims, but officials warn it could take days to establish final numbers due to the complex's difficult accessibility.
The fire, described as Karachi's worst in a decade, spread rapidly through the 8,000-square-meter complex that housed approximately 1,200 small shops selling cosmetics, clothing, and plastic goods. 'The fire could spread quickly because there were many flammable materials present,' a spokesperson for Pakistan's emergency services told BBC Urdu.
Safety Failures and Public Outrage
Investigations have revealed shocking safety lapses: 13 of the mall's 16 exits were reportedly closed when the fire broke out shortly before closing time. This critical failure trapped shoppers and workers inside as flames engulfed the building.
Public anger has been mounting against authorities for what many perceive as a delayed response. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab faced jeers from crowds when he arrived at the scene 24 hours after the fire started. 'People chanted anti-government slogans and criticized the fire department's performance,' according to local media reports.
The tragedy has struck a deep chord in Karachi, a city of approximately 20 million people that ranks among the world's largest metropolitan areas. Gul Plaza was more than just a shopping center—it was a cultural icon, one of Pakistan's first major shopping malls when it opened in the 1950s, representing modernity for the country's growing middle class.
Government Response and Compensation
Sindh Province Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has acknowledged failures in the response. 'I cannot say whose fault it is. An investigation will be conducted and heads will roll,' he told Reuters. The provincial government has declared the incident a 'national tragedy' and announced compensation of 10 million rupees (approximately €30,000) for victims' families.
The disaster has renewed urgent questions about fire safety compliance in Karachi's commercial buildings. According to Pakistan's Building Code Fire Safety Provisions 2016, commercial structures must maintain accessible exits, firefighting equipment, and proper evacuation procedures—requirements that appear to have been violated at Gul Plaza.
As rescue teams continue their grim work, Karachi residents mourn not just the lives lost but also the symbolic death of a beloved landmark that once represented national pride and progress.
