Karachi Mall Fire Turns Deadly as Death Toll Rises to Around 50

Post by : Saif

A massive fire at a shopping mall in Karachi has turned into a major human tragedy, with officials now saying that around 50 people are feared dead. Firefighters recovered many bodies from the burned remains of the building, days after the blaze first broke out, making it the deadliest fire in the city in more than ten years.

The fire started late on Saturday at the Gul Plaza shopping complex, one of Karachi’s busiest markets. The mall was well known for its many small, family-run shops selling wedding clothes, toys, kitchen items, and household goods. Within a short time, flames spread across the large building, trapping people inside and filling the area with thick smoke.

On Wednesday, rescue teams pulled out what they described as 20 to 25 bodies or remains from the debris. These were taken to hospitals for DNA testing because many victims were burned beyond recognition. Officials said it is still hard to confirm the exact number of deaths, but the toll has risen sharply from the earlier figure of 29.

Firefighters battled the blaze for several days before finally bringing it under control on Tuesday. By then, the mall had been completely destroyed. What once was a lively marketplace is now reduced to ashes, twisted metal, and broken concrete.

According to rescue officials, at least 84 people were reported missing after the fire. Police believe most of them may have lost their lives, meaning the death toll could rise even higher in the coming days. Families of the missing have been gathering near the site, lighting candles and holding photos of loved ones, hoping for answers.

Shopkeepers described the scene as heartbreaking. One trader said that nearly 20 people were inside his shop, including workers, when the fire broke out. None of them have been found so far. Many business owners have lost not only their shops but also friends, relatives, and employees.

This tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety in Karachi’s commercial buildings. Many older markets lack proper fire exits, alarms, and safety systems. Past disasters have shown similar problems, but improvements have been slow.

The Gul Plaza fire is the deadliest in the city since 2012, when an industrial fire killed more than 260 people. As investigations begin, many are asking how such a disaster was allowed to happen again and whether lives could have been saved.

For now, Karachi mourns. Rescue teams continue their work, families wait in pain, and the city is left facing tough questions about safety, responsibility, and the value of human life.

#trending #latest #KarachiFire #PakistanNews #GulPlaza #FireTragedy #BreakingNews #PublicSafety #Karachi