Karachi Gul Plaza fire: Families burst into tears as loved ones still missing
Pakistan
The incident has so far claimed six lives, including a firefighter, and more than 30 people have been injured.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Several people remain missing following a massive fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road Karachi, leaving their families in deep distress as rescue operations continue.
Relatives of the missing have been visiting various hospitals across the city, searching for their loved ones. Families say they were in contact with those trapped inside the building until late at night, after which their mobile phones were switched off.
One elderly man told media that two of his sons and a nephew worked at the plaza and have yet to be traced. “We have had no contact with them since last night,” he said.
A large number of families have also gathered outside the plaza, fearing that several people may still be trapped inside the damaged structure.
Firefighting teams have managed to bring 77 per cent of the blaze at Gul Plaza under control, but authorities say it is not possible to provide a timeline for fully extinguishing the fire, according to Sindh Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalal.
Speaking to the media, Dr Jalal said the first emergency call was received at 10:38pm, after which two Rescue 1122 vehicles and fire tenders from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) were immediately dispatched. In total, 22 fire tenders and four KMC snorkels have been involved in the operation.
He explained that firefighting efforts were severely hampered due to the large quantity of chemicals stored in shops inside the commercial plaza, which intensified the blaze and prolonged the operation. Due to the fire’s intensity, the rear portion of the building has collapsed, leaving the structure in a highly dangerous condition.
Dr Jalal confirmed that firefighting operations are still ongoing and said that cooling work will begin only after the fire is fully extinguished, a process that could take two to three more days. He added that a Rescue 1122 firefighter lost his life during the operation earlier today, calling it a tragic sacrifice.
The fire, which broke out late on Saturday night at the commercial building, has not yet been fully brought under control. According to officials, the incident has claimed six lives, including a firefighter, while more than 30 people have been injured. Several individuals remain trapped or unaccounted for.
Parts of the plaza have collapsed, with at least three sections reduced to rubble. Sindh Rangers, the Pakistan Navy, and other relevant agencies are assisting firefighters and rescue teams in ongoing operations.
