A fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi, Pakistan, has claimed the lives of 23 individuals, with more bodies being discovered in the severely damaged building, as reported by the police on Monday. The blaze was finally extinguished by firefighters late Sunday, almost a day after it started, enabling rescue teams to enter the premises. City police chief Asad Raza expressed concerns that the death toll might increase, as they are still searching for 46 missing persons.
According to Raza, only six bodies have been identified thus far, with the remainder requiring DNA testing due to the extent of damage making identification impossible. Dr. Summaiya Syed, a police surgeon, mentioned that DNA samples from the missing individuals’ relatives were being collected for this purpose. Local media reports suggest that at least 26 individuals lost their lives in the fire.
Sindh provincial Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated at a news conference in Karachi that rescue operations are ongoing to locate survivors and casualties. He disclosed that one of the deceased was a firefighter and announced that the government would provide 10 million rupees ($50,000 Cdn) in compensation to the families of each victim.
Rescuers faced challenges in reaching certain sections of the building due to extensive damage, with concerns that some individuals might still be trapped. Mayor Murtaza Wahab affirmed that the rescue mission would persist until all missing persons are found. Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, Karachi’s chief rescue officer, noted that the fire quickly spread through shops storing various goods, including cosmetics and garments.
Outside the burnt plaza, relatives of the missing anxiously awaited updates. Qaiser Ali shared that his wife, daughter-in-law, and sister were inside the building during the fire and had lost contact on Sunday. Another individual, Saifur Rehman, managed to escape the fire but expressed distress over his brother, Mohammad Abrar, who owns a shop in the plaza and remained unaccounted for.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, with authorities launching an investigation. Karachi has a history of tragic fires, often attributed to lax safety measures and unauthorized constructions. Previous incidents, such as a 2023 mall fire that claimed 10 lives and injured 22, underscore the need for improved safety practices in the city.