Karachi (Pakistan): At least three people lost their lives and several others were injured after a massive fire broke out late Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a shopping mall located on MA Jinnah Road in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, according to local media reports.
Officials said the blaze erupted on the ground floor of the multi-storey commercial building, where several shops were operating, and rapidly spread to other parts of the structure. Many people were reportedly trapped on the upper floors as thick smoke engulfed the building.
Dr. Sabir Memon, Executive Director of the Trauma Centre at Karachi Civil Hospital, confirmed that three bodies were brought to the hospital and all the victims were declared dead on arrival. Meanwhile, South Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza stated that at least seven other individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
Rescue authorities said six injured persons have been admitted to hospital for treatment. Rescue spokesperson Hasanul Hasib Khan said multiple fire tenders were deployed to douse the flames, and firefighting operations continued for several hours due to the intensity of the fire.
“The situation remains critical, and efforts to fully control the fire are ongoing,” the spokesperson said, adding that rescue teams were working to ensure that no one remained trapped inside the building.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
